Roofing contractors know that while their business has seasonality, it’s often a more stable sector in construction and offers more predictable cash flow. Experienced contractors plan for the busy summer season and save up for the slower winters. Roofs wear out faster than other parts of homes or commercial buildings, and with winter storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes, could need replacement even sooner. They’re less reliant on consumer’s discretionary funds – such as a bathroom remodel – and homeowners insurance could cover a portion or all of the replacement. This makes them a more stable industry sector, as roofing repairs aren’t something many homeowners can defer long. Adding roofing services to your existing construction business not only expands your revenue potential, it can help stabilize it.
If your revenues have primarily come from remodels such as kitchens and bathrooms, revenues could dip in another recession. During the 2008-2009 recession, remodeling spending dipped 75%, but one Harvard study found that spending on exterior projects (such as roofing) actually grew. Roofing contractors represent $52.2 billion of the overall construction industry, but it is only projected to grow 0.6% in 2022. If you own a roofing business, now might be the time to set yourself up to survive the next recession. If roofing is a smaller portion of your overall construction business, it could be time to focus on expanding your roofing services.