Like most service-based businesses, roofing companies are always looking for ways to boost efficiency and reduce operating costs without compromising quality. But inspecting a roof can take an hour, a few hours, or an entire day, and you often don’t know how long you’ll be on site until you get there.
Working “faster” just isn’t possible (or safe), but with drone roof measuring software, you can inspect any roof from the ground, generate bids quickly, and accurately predict project costs and materials.
This post explores the advantages of drone roof measuring software, features to look for when choosing a solution, and how to start using this technology immediately.
How Drone Roof Measuring Software Solves Problems
Before work can begin, roofing contractors and companies have to perform an inspection, estimate the costs of labor and materials, and generate reports for customers. It’s a long process — especially if weather, distance, or staffing shortages delay the initial inspection.
Drone roof measuring software accelerates production timelines by improving:
Inspection Speed and Accuracy
An autonomous drone can capture imagery and measurements of a roof in minutes. That includes pitch, angle, eaves, valleys, and more.
Drone roof measurements are always more accurate than human measurements, and drones can reach areas that might be inaccessible for inspectors. Drone technology that includes AI can also detect roof damage that isn’t visible to the human eye, which gives roofers irrefutable proof for maximizing insurance claim approvals.
An example from an Eagleview Assess drone report that shows AI-detected damage.
Materials and Cost Forecasting
Running out of materials in the middle of the job can cause delays, so some roofers over-order materials as a precaution. But ordering materials you don’t need can increase your overall costs. Drone roof measuring software takes the guesswork out of ordering materials.
Based on the drone’s roof-assessment data, the software immediately calculates square footage, number of facets, pitch, and complexity factors to suggest optimum waste factor. Roofers can order confidently and avoid unexpected costs and delays.
Customer Reports
Preparing reports for customer estimates and insurance claims takes time. And the time roofers spend on preparing this documentation is time they’re not spending on sales and prospecting. Drone roof measurement software can assist in getting your information faster.
What to Look for In Drone Roof Measuring Software
There are several drone systems roofers can use to measure roofs, some with outstanding features, and some that have limited functionality.
Here are some questions to consider when choosing drone roof measurement software:
Is It Specific to Your Industry?
An entry-level drone for shooting amateur video doesn’t have the features roofers need. Contractors and roofers need drone systems specific to the construction industry.
A commercial-grade drone for roofers should include:
- AI that can detect and avoid obstructions in real time
- 4K image resolution and 3D-scanning capabilities
- Integration with a software system that produces reports
- Fully autonomous functionality (no flying skills required)
Is It Easy to Use?
If you don’t want to lose valuable time learning how to use new software, make sure it has an intuitive interface. Even better if it produces the reports you need with little to no human input.
You can work a lot faster if you don’t have to switch back and forth between apps and software. So if you use other technology, look for drone roof measuring software that integrates with your preferred apps. For example, if you use JobNimbus to track leads and close more deals, integration with Eagleview Assess drone roof measuring software lets you generate, access, and share reports from within JobNimbus to save time and boost sales.
Does It Offer Additional Benefits?
If you need to assess hail damage in the immediate aftermath of a storm, a drone is the best way to complete an inspection. But if you’re just trying to build out your list of prospects, you might only need existing aerial imagery to determine where to focus your efforts. Some drone roof-measuring platforms — like Eagleview — offer aerial imagery reports as an add-on.
The imagery in Eagleview BidPerfect reports is captured by fixed-wing aircraft, not satellites. That means it’s the clearest, most detailed aerial imagery available. When you’re prospecting, you can zoom in to see details like landscaping features that might create problems for ladder placement, or how much space would be available for material drops.
[See how an Eagleview customer saved nearly $2.5 million in 10 years with Eagleview roof reports.]
Fly Higher with Eagleview
If you’re ready to work more efficiently, shorten production timelines, and improve financial forecasting and growth, it’s time to use drone roof measuring software. Eagleview Assess offers everything you need to start inspecting with drones — a fully autonomous Skydio 2 drone, an iPad for launching it, and intuitive software that captures data and creates reports.
Get in touch, and we’ll show you what you can accomplish with Eagleview Assess.