Why every roofing contractor needs a tech stack

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A contractor's tech stack may be more advanced than they realize, here's what it means and why it matters. 

In the world of roofing and construction, “tech stack” might sound like just another buzzword. But according to Dave Chapman, a 22-year veteran of Estimating Edge, it’s a term every contractor needs to understand, because they’re likely already using one. “Back in the day, a typical tech stack for a contractor in the early 2000s was maybe Microsoft Office and an accounting software,” Dave explained during this MetalTalk™. “But nowadays the roofing industry has evolved to necessitate many different applications.” 

Dave, who has worked with thousands of contractors over the course of over two decades, stated that a tech stack simply refers to the collection of software tools a company uses to run its business, tools that span everything from estimating and accounting to customer relationship management (CRM) and safety compliance. The trick, he said, is ensuring those tools work together. That’s where integration becomes essential. 

“You definitely, when you’re evaluating your tech stack, want to make sure that the different parts play nice with each other,” Dave said. “Whether it’s a direct integration [or] an open API that you can pull data from, these are definitely things that you have to consider.” 

Most contractors already have a tech stack, whether they realize it or not. The challenge isn’t starting from zero, it’s making what you already have work better together. That’s why integration is so important. In fact, it topped the list of poll responses when webinar attendees were asked about their biggest tech stack pain points. Implementation and customization were close behind. But as Dave pointed out, even the best software is only as useful as its adoption. “It’s frustrating to have an amazing piece of software but not be able to utilize it to its full potential,” he said. That’s why support and training matter just as much as the tools themselves. Even Estimating Edge brought in outside consultants to help implement its own CRM system. “We’re experts in our own little bubble,” Dave admitted. “But when it comes to taking a step from the outside and looking in, that’s where it might be good to have a consultant.” 

So how should contractors evaluate their current tech stack? Start by looking under the hood. Dave recommends checking in with project managers, accounting staff and field crews to uncover friction points and inefficiencies. “Take a look at what you’re using right now,” he said. “Are there tools that don’t connect but should? Are you manually transferring data between systems that could be synced?” Even if your tools already talk to each other, that doesn’t mean the stack is complete, it just means the foundation is there. The next step is making sure you're using it efficiently and getting full value from it. 

According to Dave, most companies only use about 60% of the capabilities of their existing software. That leaves a lot of value on the table. With the right tools and the right connections between them, contractors can position themselves for scalable growth, stronger customer relationships and reduced stress across the board. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how roofing companies are leveraging technology to scale without hiring, improve customer satisfaction and navigate AI trends!