For roofing business owners and sales reps, the type of company vehicle you drive is important.
There are a number of different vehicle options to choose from, and while some are perfect options for roofing contractors, others turn away homeowners and results in jobs being lost.
For Roofing Insights CEO Dmitry Lipinskiy, the kind of vehicle a roofing contractor chooses represents the kind of business they run.
“Roofing contractors should want to drive a vehicle that best represents what their company is all about,” Lipinskiy says.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of vehicles roofing contractors can choose from, and which one might be right for your business!
1. Lifted truck
A lifted truck is a massive vehicle that literally stands above its competition. Yet, showing up to a home in one of these vehicles is generally a turn-off to homeowners.
Worse, it’s assumed that people who drive lifted trucks choose this type of vehicle for the wrong reasons.
“If you have a huge vehicle that you have to crawl into, you’re probably compensating for something,”
Lipinskiy asserts.
“These kinds of roofing contractors like to show off and saving money is not their thing. They also like to dominate and think they’re the chosen one among contractors.”
All things considered, it’s best for roofing contractors to avoid driving a lifted truck.
2. Diesel truck
Diesel trucks are good for hauling cargo and pulling trailers.
This type of vehicle is also durable, but it does come with a hefty price tag, meaning roofing contractors who drive diesel trucks are likely good at running their roofing business with the future in mind.
“If you drive diesel trucks, you probably like things that last for a long time,” says Lipinskiy.
“Even if you don’t haul anything and you have a diesel, it’s probably because it’s in your blood. Once you drive a diesel, it’s hard to go back to another type of vehicle later in life.”
3. Cargo van
Simply put:
Cargo vans are for productivity and efficiency.
Roofing contractors who drive this vehicle are not concerned with vanity and instead are focused on best optimizing their time.
“Roofers who drive cargo vans like to get stuff done. They don’t care about the riding experience. They’re all about business, organization, and hauling stuff,” explains Lipinskiy.
“These types of people are also good roofing contractors who have no problem being labeled as a tradesman.”
4. Sedan
Roofing contractors who drive sedans don’t care about other people’s opinions, perhaps to a fault.
“I’ve never met a successful roofing contractor who drives a sedan,”
claims Lipinskiy.
Here’s why:
“Sedans are not practical. You can’t haul anything. You can’t put a ladder on a sedan, and you can’t deliver shingles,” Lipinskiy says, before further decrying sedans.
“If you’re a roofing contractor who is driving a sedan, it definitely says something about your character.”
5. Service van
A common service van among roofers is the Ford Transit because it is practical and fuel-efficient.
Service vans allow roofing contractors to carry supplies to jobsites and sales appointments, and they appeal to homeowners because of their humble appearance.
At Dreamworx Roofing in Pennsylvania, their sales reps even do sales presentations for homeowners who feel more comfortable doing the presentation outside.
“Roofing contractors who drive service vans are smart, do research, and like to save money. They’re also probably subscribed to Roofing Insights because they know how to run a roofing business,” Lipinskiy says.
6. Cargo vans
Cargo vans like the Dodge Caravan are also practical vehicles because they can haul roofing supplies and aren’t polarizing to homeowners in the same way sedans or lifted trucks are.
“This is a solid vehicle,” Lipinskiy says. “On the outside it looks like a minivan, but it’s actually a cargo van. These vehicles can hold plywood and other roofing materials.”
7. SUVs
Unfortunately, SUVs are not a great option for roofing contractors because they do not serve a specific purpose.
These vehicles are not great for hauling roofing supplies and they also are not fuel-efficient.
“Roofing contractors who drive SUVs like shortcuts, are indecisive, and understand that this isn’t the best type of vehicle,”
says Lipinskiy.
Instead of driving an SUV, Lipinskiy recommends that roofing contractors look at service vans.
8. Minivans
While not the most attractive vehicle on the market, minivans often are driven by roofing contractors who overachieve and are respected by homeowners in their local communities.
“If you drive a minivan, you’re a smart roofing contractor,” Lipinskiy says, adding that minivans are reserved for only the finest men in the roofing industry.
“Real men drive minivans.”
To learn more about which type of vehicle is right for your roofing business, watch the video at the top of this page!
And to learn more about the right tools, practices, and all things roofing, don’t forget to subscribe to Roofing Insights on all of their social media channels so you never miss any of their upcoming content!
