Roofing Contractors – Benefits of Google Street View for Estimating

Regardless of the size of your roofing contractors business the costs involved in the preparation of estimates for prospective clients amount to a considerable amount of time effort and expense. Obviously we can’t charge for our estimates as a means of getting back some of the outlay in resources but if we take a different approach then it maybe that we can eliminate some of the waste.

Google Street View

Last year I started using Google Street View to look at properties before we even answered a client inquiry. All I needed was a house number and street name and within a few clicks I was able to pull up the Google Street View of the property.

The benefits were enormous:

• I could see what the street was like and if parking was going to be a problem

• I could see exactly which type of property, for example terraced, semi, detached

• I could see exactly which type of roof covered the property, tile or slate for example.

• I could determine if it was and old roof or new

• I could determine if it was lead flashings or cement fillets

• I could determine slate or tile type and even the colours

• I could determine obvious structural defects

• I could determine what ladders I needed to make an inspection

• And finally I could capture an image of the property for my file.

Google Street View is not available for every property in the UK but it does cover millions of homes and streets and is a fabulous device for vetting some of our inquiries.

Impress Your Prospects

Next time you call a client to discuss their roofing needs bring Google Street View into the conversation and tell them you already had a quick look at their property. Once you confirm to the client that you have their property on the screen in front of you they will be impressed as most people aren’t even aware of it or how it works.

You can now have an informed discussion about their property without leaving your desk and make comments on observations as you see fit. I’m no psychologist but I guarantee you that this will make a lasting impression on a prospective client. Not only will it help you to vet your inquiries but it is highly likely that it will help you to secure the contract.

You can read a more comprehensive article on the UK launch of Google Street View at our Roofing-Subermarket.Com/Blog

About the Author

Managing Director for QFJ Media Limited which is a UK Marketing & Media Platform.

During the last 10 years I have created and developed over 100 on-line platforms and websites with high quality copy that ensures front page positioning within the serp’s.

Currently I am the sole editor for the QFJ Business Club which is a UK business club and write several articles per week for the members and public areas of the site.

The QFJ Business Club is part of QFJ Media Network.

Unilock Elements – Contractor benefits

Tired of LOUSY service? Try Angie’s List.

Comments are closed