How to serve your customers while social distancing

Editor's note: The following is a notification from GAF

Everything can be done at the recommended distance.

Thanks to tools like digital measurement, payment platforms, and teleconferencing, there’s no need to sell from inside the customer’s home. Each step of the process — from the initial consultation to payment to installation — can be done while respecting the social distancing practices that protect your crew and customers. Before starting any roofing project, check your state and local government websites to be sure that there are no restrictions on providing roofing services and always follow current social distancing and safety guidelines.

Step One - Digital Measurement

Before meeting with the homeowner, you can order an aerial roof report from any number of services, including EagleView or GAF QuickMeasure, or engage the homeowner by having them generate a GAF e360 model with their own smartphone.

For commercial contractors,  GAF QuickMeasure now includes parapet walls and penetrations.

Additional Resources
GAF QuickMeasure
GAF e360
EagleView

Step Two - Proposal

When preparing your proposal, you have options. You can drop off or overnight, copies of the proposal folders and brochures you currently use. You can also download digital collateral and provide to the customer by using the links below or logging into the Contractor Zone for access to all collateral.

Literature to Download and Share Digitally with Homeowners
Financing Solutions for Homeowners PDF
Timberline® Brochure PDF
Timberline® HDZ™ Shingles Spec Sheet PDF
GAF Residential Full Shingles & Products Brochure PDF
The GAF Lifetime Roofing System PDF
System Plus Warranty PDF - GAF Certified or Master Elite Roofing Contractor

Ordering Printed Materials to Mail to Homeowners
If you are a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor, please login to the Contractor Zone to order printed materials.

Not a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor? Our printed collateral is only available to GAF Certified Contractors. Please click here to learn more about the benefits of becoming factory-certified with GAF.

Step Three - Virtual Conference

Using video conferencing, virtual home remodeling tools, and digital samples, you can help your customer through all of their major decisions remotely. There are lots of great video conferencing tools available including Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts. The GAF CARE Team chooses Zoom for its ease of use.

Tips for Virtual Meetings

Here are a few tips on hosting a successful video meeting.

1. Pay attention to your background. Folks who are focused on reading the titles in your bookcase may not be focused on the important information you’re trying to share. Clean up the space behind you to remove distractions.
2. Choose a good camera angle. The camera in your laptop computer might create the infamous “up the nose” view. If you can, locate the camera at eye-level to help create the feel of a face-to-face conversation. Also, sit far enough from the camera that you are not filling the screen. Again, create the distance you would be comfortable with if you were meeting in person.
3. Use appropriate lighting. If you don’t have video lights, set up some gentle indirect lighting. Don’t sit in front of a bright window — the contrast makes faces hard to see.
4. Check your audio. Some built-in computer microphones create an echoey sound, like you’re speaking in a box. If you can, use a headset microphone to create a more conversational feel.
5. Test your system — whether it’s a simple Facetime or a more sophisticated video meeting service — before making the customer call

Additional Resources
Zoom Meetings
Zoom Tutorial - 45 Mins

Step Four - Payment Solutions

The uncertain environment will cause some homeowners to second-guess the expense of a new roof or repair. While that’s understandable, experienced contractors know that postponing a roof repair can lead to more damage — and greater expenses — down the line. We recommend providing payment and financing solutions that can help ease your customer’s mind. Like the other tools we’ve discussed, these payment and financing tools are completely digital, and can be processed remotely.

New! Special Rates from GreenSky

GreenSky — a GAF finance partner — has introduced new rates for this COVID period. For details, download these consumer-facing flyers.

These rates have already been added to the SmartMoney and GreenSky platforms. Not yet offering financing? Contact your Territory Manager today to get started.

DID YOU KNOW? GAF SmartMoney includes “Pre-apply for financing” and “Pay now” options for homeowners. You can e-mail or text a link to your customer that lets them pre-apply for financing before you begin the job, and pay electronically using a secure link. GAF SmartMoney is available to all GAF Factory-Certified Contractors.

Not a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor? Please click here to learn more about the benefits of becoming factory-certified with GAF.

Additional Resources
Financing Solutions for Homeowners
GAF SmartMoney

To learn more about GAF, visit their RCS Directory.