My 10 Biggest Roofing Business Mistakes Cost me Millions

Top 10 Roofing Mistakes I made in Roofing Business
My 10 biggest roofing business mistakes
00:39 Putting all eggs in Angie’s List bucket. $200k later, 700 reviews later....
01:45 Taking business loan. Absolutely regret. First two years debt free. It’s much harder to manage money when it’s in a form of credit line, but it is a necessary evil.
03:45 Picking up wrong shingle manufacturer.... today, 6 years later I would only do few. Not necessarily biggest...
05:22 Hiring “superstars” sales people”those screwed me the most.
07:12 Giving control to my marketing assets. Companies like Surefire social, contractors nation.
08:09 Not attending conferences earlier
09:15 Signing for contractor cloud. Kicked me out.
12:05 Opening up or giving up gutter company....
13:10 Hiring yellow pages, dex knows or any other mass online listing....
14:08 Partnering with marketers... I have partnered or attempted to partner with quite a few...
My 10 Biggest Roofing Mistakes Cost Me Millions
1. Signing up with Angie’s List
For years, Angie’s List brought Dmitry reliable leads, accounting for almost 90% of his business. Then, when Angie’s List was sold and became a part of HomeAdvisor, Dmitry lost business when Angie’s List became less reputed among homeowners and contractors. Now, Dmitry avoids putting all his leads into one website, suggesting that you should operate from many different platforms.
2. Applying for business loans
Business loans can be tricky because of interest and unexpected drops in sales. Dmitry advises contractors to pay for things with their own money, and unless absolutely necessary, avoid lines of credit as they can become cumbersome and debilitating to the business.
3. Picking up wrong materials
Signing an agreement with the wrong supplier can be a nightmare, mostly because these companies contractually obligate their customers not to endorse other suppliers, or even themselves. It’s a form of control that can wreak havoc on a business owner, so be mindful of where you get your supplies, and always read the fine print in contracts!
4. Hiring superstar salespeople
Dmitry advocates for taking on an inexperienced or new salesperson if it means avoiding the headaches of superstar salesmen. While superstars can generate a lot of business, they can also become spoiled divas who try to run wild with their power. Hire someone who you would buy from, and ignore the temptations that come with hiring a superstar.
5. Never give away control of your marketing assets
Allowing outside companies to run your websites and social media may seem appealing, but these companies aren’t always the most genuine in their approach. Creative control is often an issue, as most third-party companies try to run your website as they see fit, making your brand's image less of a collaboration and more geared toward someone else’s vision.
6. Not attending conferences earlier
Conferences are a great place to network and learn new tips within the industry. Dmitry cites this as a big contribution to the growth of his company, and highly recommends you attend conferences to expose yourself to new ways of conducting business.
7. Signing up for the wrong CRM
Like creative companies, CRMs have a lot of control over your software. Sometimes this may be for the best, and other times it can be a nuisance. Be deliberate in your approach to these companies and don’t agree to any services with which you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
8. Starting a gutter company
Starting a gutter company can mess with your roofing company, potentially extending your responsibilities too far. Dmitry advises that it is better to offer gutter services under the umbrella of your roofing company rather than begin an entirely new company devoted specifically to gutters.
9. Signing up with listings
If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Listing companies will inundate you with offers for their services, but often these companies don’t offer much of a service at all. Be careful, or avoid these companies altogether.
10. Relying on marketers
Marketers offer the potential to help grow your business, but their services are not always needed. Dmitry recommends hiring marketers on a per-hour basis, as opposed to a monthly salary. This keeps the marketers motivated to prove their value and avoids money walking out the door for nothing.
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[@reggiejenkins6458]

But why did you get booted off of Angieslist?

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

Because of my videos of home advisor

[@RIZENJR]

A whole month and zero dislikes. Goes to show you are putting quality info out that truly helps. I own a painting company but have now decided to change directions. Roofing has better margins for the same turnaround time. Your channel has opened my eyes to many things and I appreciate you sharing your mistakes so others may avoid them.

[@mohammadatiyah6373]

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information and knowledge :)

[@brianguzman2994]

Thank you for your content I hope you keep making these !

[@frankcana9296]

Appreciate for sharing your knowledge! Great video !!

[@garenarmstrong2058]

I enjoy your videos you keep it real.

[@ernieruiz3966]

WoW It's like you lived my life.... Thank you for sharing #GoodStuff

[@tinamcwilliams7029]

Your down to earth and honest I just can tell .I only subscribe to channels that are from good professional .like tbe world's fastest roofer never got even a look lol Your channel and grand roofing are my only subscribe

[@cheyennereynoso4116]

Great videos! Thanks for the advice

[@vadimaboev8904]

Thank you Dmitry for what you’re doing!!! Is gutters the best business in Minnesota or all over the country, on your opinion?

[@ryantheentrepreneur4040]

Great video 👍

[@conspiracyguy4045]

Was not expecting to see a black youngsta meme.,😂🤣 Great video binging yo channel during the slow season Thank you

[@alehome8527]

Muy bueno vídeo. Great video

[@JoseReyes-to5ro]

Thanks Dmitry good video

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

Thank you sir

[@mr.d4295]

The biggest mistake I ever made that cost me millions and millions was becoming a roofer ....

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

😂😂😂

[@0130799]

😅😅😅😅

[@mofishing2241]

I don't partner with anyone. The money that you save will end up costing you more. I choose to have diversity because not every shingle or product has an exact fit for everyone's need. I like to float between 2 or 3 manufacturers. It's good to have versatility. I also don't use Angie's list because, in the end, it will cost you. I do this the old-fashioned way. I go, look at people's homes, and knock on their door, or I get referred because I do a d*** good job. It takes time to build your company that way, but it's a lot more secure.

[@SeptimusDuff]

Hey Dimitri, really been enjoying your stuff. What CRM do you use now?

[@arnw7933]

Too bad this video didn't come out a few years ago. I've already made most those mistakes . But you live and you learn .

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

What were mistakes you made?

[@travissmith3720]

Good buisness insight. What is your roofing experience ?

[@blakestanger]

What is the name of that piece of equipment at 3:51? Looks like a sweet unit.

[@Rdeye-nk8cr]

Hi if I Service a building for a leak do I later have to replace the roof ? Thank you

[@Rdeye-nk8cr]

Any thoughts

[@rickyelliott3458]

If you like to work for free. That's a dumb question.

[@jasonstevensgmn4018]

Mrs Dmistry . Would you recommend me any roofing industry conference in any part of United State ? If you offer any conference please let me know I would attend it . Would you recommend me how to build a rapport with suppliers or with manufacturers?. How can I get warranties and certificates from shingle manufacturers?

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

Yes, we are doing 7 events this year. First one is in March in Minnesota. All will be announced this week

[@forwardhomeenhancements2622]

Not trusting my guys earlier.

[@ismaelsosa1259]

You used black youngsta in your video😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭

[@miguelg5302]

Dmitry hello from canada,do you have a number to call you,questions

[@jaychatfield9937]

I’m confused... you Built your successful business with Angies list, but it cost you millions in the end? Millions?? How? I’m genuinely curious.

[@RoofingInsights3.0]

What price would you put on 700 reviews? If you put all eggs in one basket, and spend $50k per year with Angie’s instead of Google, what the cost of not having 700 reviews on google?

[@jaychatfield9937]

@@RoofingInsights3.0 I can understand your frustrations but your neglect to diversify your marketing approach is not the fault of Angie's List. As you know Google is an entire different ballgame than Angie's List, or HomeAdvisor which both are now Angi.. Google is structured completely different. Both entities are two complete different marketing approaches. Once your business was at a point of reaching even a quarter million dollars in Revenue you should have known to bring in someone outside of yourself to manage all of your marketing aspects which would have included dealing with Angie's List as well as Google and other strategies. In the end you really don't have anyone to blame but yourself for whatever losses were occurred and it's disingenuous to put that blame on Angie's List and promote that after you had just built a very successful business off of that same application. With all of that said you still didn't answer my question though you diverted the attention of my question into another direction. You asked what is the value of 700 reviews?? The answer is simple. Nothing... your argument is like the guy who says I'm not going to work today and I'll just do twice as much work tomorrow.. that's obviously silly because you could do that anyway. Nevertheless I still didn't hear an answer to my question... if there was an answer the answer didn't have anything to do with the choices you made. You stated yourself that a video about HomeAdvisor caused some sort of issue between you and Angie's List. I find that interesting because I've been in very bad predicaments with Angie's List and HomeAdvisor and the result has always been resolved. I would put money on it that I could get you your account back and all of your reviews. Unless you did something illegal I know that I could do that for you. I have a guy inside..