Hey guys just looking for some input. Its been a GREAT! spring and ROOF RESCUE is deluged with work. We are about to unveil our second truck in the coming week and the weather has been AWESOME! Here is the issue, as sole proprieter and only "lead tech" currently how do you guys manage your time. I have not been able to find a minute to even post a pic ,I have such a back log of work I am concerned about losing jobs because I cannot get there soon enough. I have been running 7 days a week and rain has been non exisistent. Besides the work load we have a ton of estimates to do. I typically work the job in an area then go do the estimates in that area, its becoming overwhelming. I know that when our 2nd truck gets going it will, help but looking for other ideas/ strategy as well. Any input will be great. Thanks.
I will do my best to post some of the crazy stuff we have been doing ! It really is FUN the ability the SWS skid brings to the table!
Last note Please sign up for the ROOF RESCUE revolution camp ! It should be over the top!
Doug Rucker said
May 4, 2013
I rarely run estimates anymore. Only on really big houses in really well to do neighborhoods and only when the decision maker is there. I use an Ipad and bid all others from there using google maps, bing, or zonums for commercial work.
Most customers, on the smaller homes, love the fact that I do not have to come to there house to do an estimate. They want the price and they want it done. And the sooner they can close out the cleaning of the roof or home on their to do list the better. Remember, there time is limited too.
Second, you need someone doing the jobs for you to free you up so you can manage the business.
Gregg Austensen said
May 5, 2013
Matt
I agree with Doug. Your lead tech days are over very soon.
I'm in a similar situation. My primary biz is home inspections and just last week turned away over $2000 in jobs. And roof cleaning is going great too so I've been getting my brother in law in a position to help with both businesses.
It's a huge step for me because for 10 years its been just me and it just won't work anymore. I want total control but unless I let some go I can't grow.
Find at least one good lead tech to free you up at least a little.
I too use google maps and street view to get a good idea of what the jobs will be like and if it looks big I do a physical on it.
If your off on a small roof it's not too bad but a bug one and you've eaten your profits. Plus I always want a face to face with the $$$ clients because if you show them how professional you are they will tell others.
Bottom line..excellent problems to have!!!
Steve Salley said
May 5, 2013
Any tips on using Google Maps and street view or other software to get a better look at homes. I have the same challenge right now with finding time to do all the estimating.
Great problem since we are truly the only roof cleaner in town, but people still want to hear from us sooner than later.
AC Lockyer said
May 5, 2013
As you grow you will need to break up your area into territories by zip code. Remember just as you are outgrowing you being one of the tech's you will also soon need to giveup some of the sales tresponsibilities. Divide up your area and your week by qarters leaving Friday as an overflow day. I will have more on this at your Wilderness Excursion next month.
AC
Danny Cronauer said
May 5, 2013
AC Lockyer wrote:
As you grow you will need to break up your area into territories by zip code. Remember just as you are outgrowing you being one of the tech's you will also soon need to giveup some of the sales tresponsibilities. Divide up your area and your week by qarters leaving Friday as an overflow day. I will have more on this at your Wilderness Excursion next month.
AC
This sounds perfect. I have just recently become supervisor. Last week my 2 man crew did 95% of the spraying. I went with them on all of the jobs, I intend to go with them again this week. I have to drill into their heads perfection, perfection, perfection. I also walked to the neighbors house and sold 2 jobs, while my crew was still cleaning. I will also be switching to the 7i system for payment. I try and do all my estimates after 5pm or Saturday and Sunday. I also have my business coordinator (girlfriend) taking calls and scheduling. She helps ALOT. I do 90% of estimates in person, and all estimates over 45mins away I do online.
Being exhausted on an estimate after a long day, is also teaching me new things. Typically I blabber mouth all the information i know about roof cleaning, but when I'm exhausted I say yep yours dirty, we can clean it. Bill Booz had mentioned this starts to happen you lose the sales pitch, and instead just tell them exactly what they are getting.
I hope everyone else feels the same, but I am having a blast.
Danny
Doug Rucker said
May 5, 2013
Remember in sales...the person that listens the most wins.
-- Edited by Doug Rucker on Tuesday 7th of May 2013 07:32:54 PM
Mike Laskowski said
May 6, 2013
Matt,
Operations:
Take advantage of still working on the truck and identify canidates to start stepping up to the lead technician role. Hire another tech so it is you with two technicians working and start the guys off and leave the job to do your sales and let your operations team do their thing. Come back before the job's completed for quality control. After they get through this step start sending them out and stop in randomly to make sure things are going well. When you get the second truck I would repeat the previous process. Some guys are going to work out and some won't so just recognize that it is going to be a process and know that you are building a business and ultimately the example you set to your guys will trickle down in their attitudes and professionalism and if it doesn't its time to find someone who will.
Sales:
Hire a part time sales rep (who will soon be full time) that can shadow you now that your not working on the truck and once they start to find their stride then step back and send them out on solo sales calls. Eventually this sales rep can start managing greater amounts of your sales leads. Make sure you keep track of all statistical information on your sales team so you have an objective way of analyzing their performance. Discuss sales goals and close ratios with your sales team and have periodic updates and reviews of all leads and discuss your goals and expectations.
Ultimately our business can only be as good as the quality of employee we hire and train. Once you have your operations and sales teams running you can now step back and start working on your companies growth.
My two cents at least....
Schall Bradley said
May 6, 2013
Steve If you have an I Phone, or better I Pad try Planimeter App
Bill Booz said
May 7, 2013
Hire techs and keep doing the sales. We have 3 techs, 3 flyer people and 2 owners. Owners do the sales.
Bill Booz said
May 7, 2013
Some of us might remember the guy in PA that keeps around 200k a year at about 700k revenue. Their owners do the sales. Don't hire to many of the people too fast. Hard enough to learn how to train crew without learning to train sales at the same time.
AC Lockyer said
May 8, 2013
Bill Booz wrote:
Hire techs and keep doing the sales. We have 3 techs, 3 flyer people and 2 owners. Owners do the sales.
Hey guys just looking for some input. Its been a GREAT! spring and ROOF RESCUE is deluged with work. We are about to unveil our second truck in the coming week and the weather has been AWESOME! Here is the issue, as sole proprieter and only "lead tech" currently how do you guys manage your time. I have not been able to find a minute to even post a pic ,I have such a back log of work I am concerned about losing jobs because I cannot get there soon enough. I have been running 7 days a week and rain has been non exisistent. Besides the work load we have a ton of estimates to do. I typically work the job in an area then go do the estimates in that area, its becoming overwhelming. I know that when our 2nd truck gets going it will, help but looking for other ideas/ strategy as well. Any input will be great. Thanks.
I will do my best to post some of the crazy stuff we have been doing ! It really is FUN the ability the SWS skid brings to the table!
Last note Please sign up for the ROOF RESCUE revolution camp ! It should be over the top!
Most customers, on the smaller homes, love the fact that I do not have to come to there house to do an estimate. They want the price and they want it done. And the sooner they can close out the cleaning of the roof or home on their to do list the better. Remember, there time is limited too.
Second, you need someone doing the jobs for you to free you up so you can manage the business.
Great problem since we are truly the only roof cleaner in town, but people still want to hear from us sooner than later.
AC
This sounds perfect. I have just recently become supervisor. Last week my 2 man crew did 95% of the spraying. I went with them on all of the jobs, I intend to go with them again this week. I have to drill into their heads perfection, perfection, perfection. I also walked to the neighbors house and sold 2 jobs, while my crew was still cleaning. I will also be switching to the 7i system for payment. I try and do all my estimates after 5pm or Saturday and Sunday. I also have my business coordinator (girlfriend) taking calls and scheduling. She helps ALOT. I do 90% of estimates in person, and all estimates over 45mins away I do online.
Being exhausted on an estimate after a long day, is also teaching me new things. Typically I blabber mouth all the information i know about roof cleaning, but when I'm exhausted I say yep yours dirty, we can clean it. Bill Booz had mentioned this starts to happen you lose the sales pitch, and instead just tell them exactly what they are getting.
I hope everyone else feels the same, but I am having a blast.
Danny
Remember in sales...the person that listens the most wins.
-- Edited by Doug Rucker on Tuesday 7th of May 2013 07:32:54 PM
Matt,
Operations:
Take advantage of still working on the truck and identify canidates to start stepping up to the lead technician role. Hire another tech so it is you with two technicians working and start the guys off and leave the job to do your sales and let your operations team do their thing. Come back before the job's completed for quality control. After they get through this step start sending them out and stop in randomly to make sure things are going well. When you get the second truck I would repeat the previous process. Some guys are going to work out and some won't so just recognize that it is going to be a process and know that you are building a business and ultimately the example you set to your guys will trickle down in their attitudes and professionalism and if it doesn't its time to find someone who will.
Sales:
Hire a part time sales rep (who will soon be full time) that can shadow you now that your not working on the truck and once they start to find their stride then step back and send them out on solo sales calls. Eventually this sales rep can start managing greater amounts of your sales leads. Make sure you keep track of all statistical information on your sales team so you have an objective way of analyzing their performance. Discuss sales goals and close ratios with your sales team and have periodic updates and reviews of all leads and discuss your goals and expectations.
Ultimately our business can only be as good as the quality of employee we hire and train. Once you have your operations and sales teams running you can now step back and start working on your companies growth.
My two cents at least....
If you have an I Phone, or better I Pad try Planimeter App
Amen Brother!