GAF Contractor's Corner GAF

The GAF Contractor's Corner Podcast returns with Episode 008! As always, our host Don Kilcoyne speaks with contractors and roofing professionals about the factors that are driving their bussiness. Join the conversation by posting in the comments section on the GAF ProBlog or on social media, subscribe to the show wherever it is you get your podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to us at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

This time we're sitting down with Martin Pettigrew, founder and CEO of Monarch Roofing (and Monarch Solar), as well as Monarch's Marketing Director Stephanie Bohardt. Monarch serves residential and commercial customers throughout the Carolinas. A GAF Master Elite Contractor and a Two Star President's Club Award Recipient, Martin is absolutely obsessed with customer acquisition. And it shows!

We asked Martin and Stephanie exactly how they consistently maintain their best-in-class status, and we got some feedback on a new GAF product they have been using. Monarch has installed a lot of our new Timberline HDZ shingles - Accuracy Made Easy! - in the past few months, and we were eager to hear what they thought. Spoiler alert: they like them!

Topics discussed:
00:00 - Intro
05:17 - Relationships and philanthropy
08:32 - Obsessed with the customer
12:32 - Leadership summits
16:24 - Sales processes
20:54 - Branding
26:06 - The value of GAF
28:59 - Timberline HDZ: Accuracy Made Easy
31:50 - Community engagement
37:16 - One piece of advice

Learn more about what we discussed in this episode:

Timberline HDZ

Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Monarch Roofing on Facebook, Instagram, and the Web.

Email GAF Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

Welcome back to Episode 007 of the GAF's Contractor's Corner podcast, the show where Don Kilcoyne interviews contractors and roofing professionals about the factors that are driving their bussiness. Join the conversation by posting in the comments section on the GAF ProBlog or on social media, subscribe to the show wherever it is you get your podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to us at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

Our guest this week is Wade Baughn, a founding speaker in the GAF Expert Value Series. Wade teaches contractors how practical and profitable it is to build better roofs by strictly following IRC codes and the GAF Pro Field Guide.

As a long-time specialist in the insurance restoration business, Wade has discovered that code compliance means opportunity for contractors, homeowners, and even insurance companies. Understanding and applying those codes may wind up increasing the scope of a job. In some cases, repairs become complete reroofs. But, as he advises, “Manufacturers, insurers and the government have already written the rules on how a roof should be installed. Following those guidelines is simply called ‘doing it right.’”

Contractors who’ve attended Wade’s EVS sessions often return over and over. We hope this episode of Contractor’s Corner inspires you to attend one, or request one, near you.

Topics discussed:

00:00 - Intro
03:06 - Reading the instructions
04:21 - Subtleties in the codes
06:13 - Completing the job
06:59 - Response from roofers
07:59 - Expert Value Series
10:40 - Proper installation
12:14 - Insurance companies
14:04 - Financing
16:24 - Decking
18:08 - Other tidbits
20:40 - CARE and the Pro Field Guide
22:12 - Advice for Other Contractors
24:36 - More about Wade

Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Email GAF Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

This is Episode 006 of GAF's Contractor's Corner podcast, the show where we interview contractors and roofing professionals about the factors that are driving their bussiness. Don Kilcoyne is our host. Join the conversation by posting in the comments section on the GAF ProBlog or on social media, subscribe to the show wherever it is you get your podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to our team at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

Our guest this week is Andy Lindus, of Lindus Construction. Lindus Construction has been in business since 1979; Andy and his brothers are the second generation of owners. Andy believes that every encounter with a client is an opportunity to earn a customer for life.

Andy discussed why managing your brand is so important in the age of HomeAdvisor and Angie's List. He gives us insight on his unique approach to sales as well as the unique value proposition he gets from working with a manufacturer like GAF.

Topics discussed:

(0:00) Intro
(0:58) Background
(2:09) Unique approach to sales
(3:36) Farming roots
(4:53) The Lindus Construction brand
(6:05) Andy's radio show
(8:32) The GAF brand
(10:53) Selling the Golden Pledge
(13:12) Reputation management
(14:43) One piece of advice
(17:25) What percentage of customers finance?
(19:38) StainGuard Plus
(21:20) The Lindus selling technique
(22:32) Learn more about Lindus Construction

Learn more about what we discussed in this episode:

StainGuard Plus
WCCO
Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Lindus Construction on Twitter @LindusCon, Facebook, Houzz, and on the Web.

Email GAF Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

We're back with Episode 005 of GAF's Contractor's Corner podcast, the show where we interview contractors and roofing professionals about the factors that are driving their bussiness. Don Kilcoyne is our host, and he's joined by a new guest each week. Join the conversation by posting in the comments section on the GAF ProBlog or on social media, subscribe to the show wherever it is you get your podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to our team at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

Our guest this week is Gregory Bjornson, Financing Program Manager here at GAF. Greg advocates including a financing discussion in every single in-home sales meeting, even if you're already happy with your close rate. (But really, who's completely satisfied with their close rate...?)

Greg joined us to explain why so few roofing jobs - somewhere between just three to seven percent of them - involve a financing plan. He recommends a number of ways the roofing contractor can help their customer get the roof of their dreams through the usage of financing. Offering financing gives your customers more options, and gives you more opportunities.

Topics discussed:

(0:00) Intro
(0:47) Financing in roofing vs. other industries
(2:24) Why offer financing if you're already successful?
(6:22) Frequent hang-ups
(8:15) How to begin offering financing
(9:35) Margin vs. markup
(11:07) Talking to your customers
(14:07) Where to learn more
(15:36) One piece of advice for contractors

Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Email Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

Welcome to Episode 004 of GAF's Contractor's Corner podcast! We talk to roofing professionals about what's driving their business. The podcast is hosted by Don Kilcoyne and features interviews with contractors as well as experts on topics of use to contractors. Join the discussion in the comments section, subscribe wherever it is you listen to podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to us at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

This episode is the conclusion of our discussion with Kelly and Janice Stitzer of CIG Construction in Colorado. If you have not yet listened to the first part of our conversation, please tune in to Episode 003 before listening to this one.

Kelly and Janice stopped by to discuss the importance of branding, what they look for when hiring new employees, the value of working with an executive coach, and what's in store for the future of CIG Construction.

Topics discussed:

(0:00) Intro
(0:30) The importance of branding
(2:54) What to look for in employees
(3:52) The value of referrals
(6:57) Staying in business, and continuing to grow
(10:19) Breakthrough Academy
(11:43) Working on the business vs. in the business
(14:56) How it feels to take a step back
(16:57) Replacing yourself and having an exit strategy
(18:49) One piece of advice for contractors
(22:17) Looking towards the future

Learn more about what we discussed in this episode:

Breakthrough Academy
Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Email Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

CIG Construction on Twitter @CIGConstruction, Facebook, Instagram, and on the Web.

Welcome to Episode 003 of GAF's Contractor's Corner podcast! We talk to roofing professionals about what's driving their business. The podcast is hosted by Don Kilcoyne and features interviews with contractors as well as experts on topics of use to contractors. Join the discussion in the comments section, subscribe wherever it is you listen to podcasts, and email your questions and feedback to us at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

This episode features Kelly and Janice Stitzer of CIG Construction in Colorado. They are a husband and wife team with a strong work ethic, diverse backgrounds, and a passion for quality that informs each and every business decision they make.

Kelly and Janice stopped by to discuss the unique nature of their partnership, their focus on the customer experience above all else, working with a business coach, and the peace of mind that comes from both learning how to hold to your price and sometimes being willing to walk away from a sale.

Our discussion was so interesting that we went a bit long! Be sure to check back soon for Part 2 of our discussion with Janice and Kelly.

Topics discussed:

(0:00) Intro
(0:57) Background
(4:34) What shaped CIG Construction?
(6:19) Business coaching
(10:55) Looking closely at your P&L
(14:08) The problem with free upgrades
(19:04) Value and price
(20:52) Branding and the customer experience
(26:18) Project management
(28:36) The value of being a Master Elite

Connect with us:

GAF on Twitter @gafroofing, Facebook, and on the Web.

Email Contractor's Corner at ContractorsCorner@gaf.com.

CIG Construction on Twitter @CIGConstruction, Facebook, Instagram, and on the Web.