Tag: <span>data</span>

Tag: data

How Forge’s Hyperion Is Bringing Roofing Work Into a Faster, More Digital Future

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The roofing industry has long depended on a mix of field experience, manual processes, and a lot of spreadsheets. But in a recent episode of the Roofing Technology Think Tank Podcast, host Karen Edwards sat down with Mark Lord of Forge and Samantha from All Weather Roofing to discuss a product that could change how contractors scan roofs, build proposals, and move jobs forward: Hyperion. What makes this story compelling is that it starts with a real pain point, not a flashy tech trend. Mark didn’t build Hyperion because he wanted to chase AI hype. He built it because he saw the workflow problems contractors face every day — leaving a job site, losing momentum, waiting on proposals, and trying to close deals before the customer’s attention fades.

From frustration to practical innovation

Mark explained that Hyperion came out of his own frustration with tools that looked impressive but didn’t actually help contractors do the work. He wanted something grounded in reality: a way to capture accurate roof data, create usable models, and keep the sales process moving while the contractor was still on site. That led to the idea of using LiDAR-equipped Apple devices to scan roofs and generate detailed 3D models. Instead of relying only on aerial images or estimates from a distance, Hyperion aims to give roofing teams “ground truth” — a more accurate view of the actual roof conditions, including pitch, angles, blemishes, and other details.

Why Samantha was willing to test it early

Samantha, who manages customer communication, project coordination, production oversight, warranties, permits, and office operations, immediately saw the value. Like many contractors, her team had been managing work through spreadsheets and manual systems. She was already familiar with the inefficiencies that slow projects down, so trying a new digital workflow made sense. Her role also gave her a clear view of where technology could help most: faster estimating, smoother coordination, and better communication with customers. That matters because new software only succeeds when it solves a real business problem. In Samantha’s case, Hyperion wasn’t just a novelty — it had the potential to make her entire operation faster and more organized.

Accuracy and confidence are everything

One of the biggest questions with any field scanning tool is accuracy. Samantha said their scans were coming in at a minimum of 95% accuracy, and in some cases 95% to 98% when compared against existing aerial scan tools like EagleView. That level of confidence is critical. Contractors need to trust the numbers before they can trust the workflow. And Mark took that seriously too — he even tested the system on his own home before putting it in front of customers. The result is a product that feels built for the real world, not just a demo.

Faster proposals mean better close rates

A major benefit of Hyperion is speed. Once a roof is scanned, the data can be processed in about five minutes to create a model and bill of materials. From there, contractors can generate proposals and present “good, better, best” options while the customer is still engaged. That speed is a big deal. Samantha shared that delayed proposals can cost jobs. In roofing, if you wait too long, another contractor may get there first with an estimate and win the work. Hyperion helps preserve momentum by making it easier to present and sign off on a proposal immediately. That kind of real-time workflow can directly affect revenue.

More than scanning: a larger operating system for contractors

Hyperion is part of a broader Forge ecosystem. Mark described a larger software suite that includes proposal generation, CRM functions, payroll processing, GPS-tagged labor logging, a customer portal, and even an AI-powered outsourced customer service solution called Iris. The long-term vision is ambitious, but the underlying theme is simple: reduce friction for contractors and help them stay in contact with customers more effectively. For smaller offices especially, customer communication is often a bottleneck. Mark’s system aims to close that gap with proactive notifications, chat access, and call-handling support that can flag dissatisfaction before it becomes a bad review.

What this means for the roofing industry

The conversation made one thing clear: roofing technology is moving from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.” Contractors are under pressure to be faster, more accurate, and more responsive. Tools like Hyperion offer a way to do all three without adding complexity for the team. The most interesting part is that this innovation came from inside the industry, not outside it. Mark built something based on actual contractor pain points, then tested it with a real roofing company willing to give direct feedback. That kind of product development often leads to better adoption because it starts with the realities of the job, not assumptions about it.

Final thoughts

 

Forge’s Hyperion is a strong example of what happens when technology is built around workflow instead of hype. It helps contractors capture data more accurately, create proposals faster, and communicate more clearly with customers — all of which can make a measurable difference in closing jobs and running a smoother operation. For roofing teams still juggling spreadsheets and manual follow-up, this is the kind of tool that could genuinely change the game. Want to explore it yourself? Mark said Hyperion will be available as a free download on the App Store, and contractors can also visit buildwithforge.app to see the live demo and product walkthroughs.

Unlocking Roof Stories at Scale: How AI and Data Are Reimagining Roofing Opportunities

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Imagine each roof and home has a unique story — about its condition, its owner’s financial capacity, their sense of responsibility, and their potential to need your services. This is the core insight behind the innovative solutions being developed today. Fred Castonguay, co-founder of Reworked.ai, emphasizes that every roof “has a story to tell” and that by analyzing aerial images and extensive data sets, contractors can uncover those stories at a national scale.

Traditional roofing sales often rely on reactive approaches — waiting for homeowners to notice leaks or visible damage. But with aerial imagery from Eagleview, combined with AI-powered analytics on homeowner data, contractors can proactively identify whose roof is failing or likely to need attention, before a leak shows up. This shifts the entire dynamic from “responding to damage” to “predicting opportunities,” which is faster, more efficient, and less stressful.

The Heart of Data-Driven Roofing: Who Is Ready to Buy?

Fred explains that their models focus on two key homeowner attributes: financial capacity and responsibility.  Is the homeowner financially able to undertake a roof replacement? Do they perceive the roof as part of their responsibility to protect their family and property?

Using a massive database of images and information, Reworked.ai can analyze hundreds of data points — from visible roof damage to homeownership status and even lifestyle indicators like whether they carry pet insurance. By filtering for these “great homeowners” with “bad roofs,” contractors receive a curated list of prospects who are both capable and likely to buy, even if they aren’t actively looking.

This approach also bypasses traditional, often inefficient lead-buying methods. Instead of buying a lengthy list with no context, contractors get targeted, high-potential opportunities at a price of about $1.79 each, with the assurance that these prospects want a solution — the roof tells the story.

“Every roof has a story,”  Fred says. “We’re decoding that story from 6,000 feet in the air so contractors can act on it.”

Communicating with Homeowners: How Data Fuels Persuasive, Personalized Outreach

Once prospects are identified, the next challenge is reaching out effectively. Fred highlights how their platform now allows contractors to launch direct mail campaigns that are highly targeted and personalized, similar to Amazon’s frictionless shopping experience. Instead of cold, generic “I am a roofer” messages, homeowners receive specific tailored mail with a strong call to action based on the known fact that the roof is facing problems, such as missing shingles, water pooling, streaks and/or discoloration.

The message is framed around responsibility: “Our records show your roof may be facing an issue; we’re here to help.” This approach yields astonishing response rates — up to 8%—and conversion rates that often surpass traditional marketing by several multiples. Homeowners appreciate the direct, relevant communication and respond when they see a letter with their name, address, and a problem that’s clearly visible.

Fred points out that this method doesn’t just increase sales; it helps homeowners avoid major disasters — like coming home to a ceiling collapse due to unnoticed damage. Plus, the process is designed to be seamless and automated, requiring minimal effort from contractors.

“It’s about getting in front of the homeowner early — before they know they have a problem—and offering a solution that’s tailored just for them,” Fred explains.

Cost-Effective Opportunities: How Much Should Contractors Invest?

One critical question is often about the cost and ROI of such data-driven marketing. Fred explains their pricing model: about $1.79 per opportunity, with a minimum spend of around 500 opportunities, roughly $800. This is a fraction of what competitors spend on traditional multi-touch campaigns but with results that dramatically outperform generic outreach.

To put it into perspective, a typical campaign of 1,500 targeted homes might cost around $5,000 but could generate dozens of appointments—sometimes up to 50 or 60—and a solid number of closed jobs. Conversely, a broad, non-targeted mailing could easily waste thousands of dollars on uninterested prospects. Moreover, the platform allows staggered, scalable campaigns. Contractors can start small, test results, and then expand while ensuring they’re not inundated with calls or overloading their team.

The Power of the Data: Staying Ahead With Less Waste

And here’s the biggest advantage: the exclusivity of the data. If multiple contractors buy opportunities in the same area, the system ensures no overlap, giving each one a fair shot at nurturing leads without fighting over the same prospects. By combining data points such as homeowner financial responsibility, existing damage signs, and even lifestyle indicators (pets, subscriptions), contractors can prioritize outreach effectively. This focused strategy results in higher response rates, better conversions, and happier homeowners — all while using fewer resources. Fred summarizes it well:  “All we want is to put you in front of the right homeowner, with the right message, at the right time.”

How This Tech Can Transform Your Roofing Business

The future of roofing sales isn’t just about more leads; it’s about better leads — those who are most likely to buy and most receptive to your message. By harnessing the power of aerial imagery, AI, and comprehensive homeowner data, contractors can proactively identify and communicate with their best prospects. This approach gives you control over your marketing spend, heightens your industry edge, and ultimately allows you to serve homeowners more effectively. As Fred says, “We’re helping contractors move from reactive to proactive — and that’s where the real growth is.”

Ready to Embrace the Future of Roofing Opportunities?

If you want to learn more about leveraging AI-driven data for roofing success, visit reworked.ai. Fred is accessible via email at Fred@reworked.ai, and you can schedule a call to see how this innovative approach can fit into your business. Don’t let your competition get ahead — start empowering your sales process with smarter, targeted opportunities today.

RT3 Members Present on Data and AI at METALCON

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By Karen L. Edwards.

METALCON 2019 took place in Steel City – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and RT3 members were well represented at the show, exhibiting and speaking.  On the first day of the show, RT3 hosted a discussion on the importance of artificial intelligence and utilizing data for contractors.

Bill Wilkins of Pointivo spoke about AI and explained that there are a number of companies that offer AI-assisted approaches to roof evaluations.  His company has been working with another RT3 member to develop a system that will do just that. Bill explained asking a person to try to look at an image and identify drains, equipment, ponding water, areas of membrane splits, etc. can be a very time-consuming process.  Ai is a great opportunity to help augment a younger , more inexperienced work force in identifying rooftop conditions and problem areas.

AI can tell you what it thinks is on the roof and provide a confidence level in its identification. How you help is by looking at what it found and either confirming it or correcting it. Each time you provide confirmation or correction, it will learn from the information and keep getting better at what it does. Bill explained that they feel pretty confident that the tool they are introducing next year will be able to reduce the amount of time spent on evaluations by 80 percent through the use of drones and AI.

Key things for AI to be successful is quality data, quantity of data. Bill shared the example of teaching AI to recognize on AC unit on a roof. Because an AC unit is so large, it might only need to ‘see’ 100 images to be able to accurately identify the AC unit every time. Trying to identify hail damage will be harder, because it’s much smaller in size.  The more data, imagery and confirmations it receives, the smarter and faster it becomes.

Josey Parks of Cognitive Contractor shared how AI and data can be a powerful lead and  sales tool for roofing businesses. Josey explained that if you take the records for 1,000 customers and run them through an AI program it will learn from the data. It will recognize patterns of the first 70 percent (or 700 records). Then it will take the next 300 records and predict their behavior based on what it learned from the first 700 and provide them a score.  Contractors should understand the data that they have in their business and how they can structure it to understand what drives your business and your customers.

Josey explained how when he started in metal roofing, he would keep track on a paper of what neighborhoods he had knocked doors in, then he advanced to using a bike trail app to track the locations where he and his sales team had been. They have advanced today to sending emails and plotting on a map (like Google Earth) the locations of the people who opened the email. This allows the canvassers to have an optimized route to work from.

Taking it one step further with the advancement in technology, Josey explained that he is able to use AI to score and predict his leads to the point that it knows which salesperson is the best one to assign that lead to, based on past performance of the sales person.  It’s important to optimize your business and not waste time and resources assigning the wrong leads to the wrong salesperson.

If you missed their talk at METALCON, you can watch it on our Facebook page under Videos.  Be sure to sign up for the Smart Brief e-newsletter to get the latest roofing tech news in your inbox.

 

The ROI of Roofing Reports: How Understanding Your Data Can Impact Your Bottom Line

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By Michelle Mittelman, Acculynx.

CRM platforms have evolved into a critical tool for roofers and exterior contractors when it comes to managing and organizing the processes associated with owning and running a service-based contracting business. Expanded features have given roofers the ability to create estimates and contracts, manage production calendars, order measurements and materials, and communicate more effectively across teams.

All of this functionality yields an overwhelming amount of job data that is collected and stored within a CRM. However, most roofing CRM’s offer little to no customization of reporting features, making it difficult to garner insight, visualize and disseminate this information to their teams. As a result, in an effort to combat this lack of data accessibility, roofers often run multiple reports across several platforms in order to see the information they need.

The ability to structure, customize and analyze data within a CRM is the most important tool that a roofer can leverage to make actionable decisions, strategize future production and gain a competitive edge.

Every company is different; roofers service different markets, use different materials and offer various additional exterior trades. The data that is important to one business may not have as great an impact on another when it comes to making decisions that affect the bottom line.

The ideal format of data output and the way that information is analyzed and applied to overall business strategy is so varied, that roofers cannot always rely on static reports to see viable results.

Reporting solutions for roofers need to be flexible.

The ability to create detailed reports, as well as the ability to manipulate the way that the data is grouped, calculated, displayed and shared needs to be customizable.

For example, a company may need to create a sales report for different material lines, or even get as granular as shingles sold by color. Other companies may need to report on the ROI of shingle recycling programs, or rebate offers year over year in order to better understand their overall performance.

Roofers need to be able to see their data to understand it.

The ability for roofers to easily visualize their data is another critical function of reporting. Dashboards can help roofers quickly see and understand high level key performance indicators. The ability to customize dashboards for specific teams or set permissions allows everyone to understand and measure their own success in correlation to the company.

Data should not live in a silo.

The data compiled in your CRM is only useful if it’s being shared with the people who need to see and understand the information. The ability to automatically share detailed reports, dashboards and analytics with your project managers, team leads and sales are critical when it comes to providing transparency and aligning department goals with those of your business. When key employees have access to these reports, they are better able to make adjustments to their strategies, analyze employee performance metrics, and identify existing issues and opportunities.

Successful roofers see the value that comes from understanding business performance. The ongoing ability to monitor reports drives meaningful changes, and ultimately contributes to revenue growth.

Using Your Reports to Make Better, Profit-Driven Decisions for Your Roofing Business

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By Michelle Mittleman.

Software technology has opened the door for roofing companies when it comes to managing their business more efficiently and effectively than previous generations. CRM and ERP platforms, mobile applications and integrations give roofers 24/7 access to their business, including the information they rely on to make smart decisions.

It’s more than just knowing how many leads are in your pipeline, or how much revenue your top salesman generates on a quarterly basis. Dashboards and colorful graphs can’t always provide you with the in-depth analysis into the data that you need to see in order to make profit-driven decisions that impact your entire organization.

Going back and forth between Excel or separate programs means you are spending valuable time staring at spreadsheets, and not taking care of the things that really need your attention. As a roofing business owner, it’s more critical now than ever before that the reports you see and share with your teams are both accessible and easily generated from your software platform.

What Do Your Reports Tell You?

The greater the visibility you have into all of your data, the easier it is for you to extract the critical information necessary to run your business.

Is your reporting easy?

Reports are not helpful if you need to spend hours analyzing them. Reports generated from your CRM should easy to create, easy to to understand and easy to access.

Is your reporting customizable?

Being able to create custom reports from all of the data within your software platform means you get to pick and choose what’s important to you and not what a software company thinks you need.

Likewise, can your teams create their own reports that they need to succeed in their individual roles? Flexible data structuring and custom filtering means everyone has access to what they need.

Does Your Data Give You True Insight Into Your Business?

Being able to create calculations within your reports that allow you to derive meaningful insights and a greater understanding of what is happening in your business is the foundation of what software reporting functionality is about.

At the end of the day, these reports should be helping you make smart, profitable decisions for your roofing business.

Note: This article first published on the AccuLynx blog and can be viewed here.