You’ve already met Paul Kirkwood, Rapid Roofing’s director of business development
Now let’s see where he works!
Watch the YouTube video above to get an insight into one of the best roofing companies in the nation!
Don’t have time to watch the video?
No problem!
We’ll tell all you need to know about Dmitry and Roofing Insights’ trip to Canton, Michigan last month.
Before Dmitry and his camera crew enter Rapid Roofing’s facility, on the front door Dmitry notices a sticker that proves Rapid Roofing is a Roofing Insights-certified contractor.
Like all Roofing Insights-certified contractors, Rapid Roofing is part of the Roofing Insights Directory. This means they’re part of the rapidly growing list of contractors who homeowners are looking to hire every day.
To find out how you can become part of the Roofing Insights Directory, text us at 612-254-9849!
“I feel like I’m at GAF headquarters,”
Dmitry tells Kirkwood as soon as he steps foot inside their facility.
Rows of GAF plaques line the walls of Rapid Roofing because they have been GAF-certified Master Elite for the last 20 years.
“The constant theme you’ll hear from us is managing the relationships,”
Kirkwood says, a stance he has been preaching for years.
Kirkwood and Rapid Roofing believe that the best way to ensure success is by not only implementing and holding employees to high standards, but by also making sure that quality relationships are kept with consumers and suppliers.
“If you want to be the best, you have to have a toolbox that’s full,”
Kirkwood tells Dmitry, and he’s not just talking about relationships.
Kirkwood, like many legit contractors, is a huge advocate for CRMs and the positive effect they can have on businesses.
Rapid Roofing uses Acculynx for their CRM needs, but JobNimbus is also an excellent resource.
To find out how JobNimbus can help organize and optimize your business, click here to receive a 14-day trial with no credit card required.
As Dmitry and Kirkwood continue their jaunt through Rapid Roofing’s facility, Dmitry is curious to learn more about how Rapid Roofing approaches siding jobs.
“Siding is one of those things that is a necessary evil,”
Kirkwood says, explaining that the company needs to offer siding so they can better service customers’ needs.
While LP recently took a beating in Roofing Insights’ 2020 siding guide, Kirkwood says they offer both LP and James Hardie to customers. It all depends on a particular homeowner’s situation.
“Are you still on Angie’s List?”
Dmitry asks as they stand next to an Angie’s List award still in the office.
“No,”
Kirkwood answers.
“We don’t play with them anymore, for obvious reasons.”
“Is Angie’s List dead?”
Dmitry then asks.
“To me, they are. I don’t need to pay for a lead that’s going to seven other people,”
deadpans Kirkwood.
The two then continue toward the production department, where they meet production manager Dave Southworth, the man responsible for scheduling all of Rapid Roofing’s jobs.
Kirkwood says that he and Southworth work together to determine which crews are best for certain jobs. This comes from having open lines of communication with contractors who have worked with them for years.
The strategy has shown to be successful, considering Rapid Roofing currently is doing $15 million per year in sales.
In Rapid Roofing’s spacious warehouse, Kirkwood shows Dmitry all their major accessories, some of which help them save on costs because they don’t have to rent equipment from other companies.
“We’ve got dump trailers that we own,”
Kirkwood mentions.
As we’ve discussed in the past at Roofing Insights, dump trailers don’t make money, but they’re a cost saver on other tasks and therefore are a worthy investment for your business if you have the extra capital.
Outside the facility, Dmitry is introduced to Rapid Roofing’s fleet of utility vehicles. Rapid Roofing used to go with Dodge, but recently they’ve decided to switch to Ford because it’s been a more reliable product.
“When we switched from the Dodge pickups to the Fords, we had a real good experience,”
Kirkwood says.
Want to see the full tour of Rapid Roofing?
Join the Roofing Insights business school!
Doing so will grant you access to our exclusive educational content, which includes full company tours and personalized instruction material from Dmitry!
