481: How to Start a Roofing Business in 2026 (What Most Roofers Get Wrong)

Thinking about starting a roofing business in 2026 — or trying to grow the one you already have?In this episode, Dave Sullivan sits down with former Roofer Show co-host John DeLaurier to break down what it actually takes to build a profitable roofing company in today’s market.John started a roofing business from scratch, built it into a successful company, eventually sold it, and now works with roofing contractors across the country through ProLine CRM. Together, Dave and John discuss the systems, numbers, leadership, marketing, customer experience, and technology that separate successful roofing businesses from the ones that struggle.They cover:Why profit matters more than revenueHow to reverse engineer your business goalsThe importance of branding and customer experience Speed to lead and follow-up systemsHiring and building a sales teamMarketing strategies that actually workCRM systems, automations, and KPIsWhat most roofing contractors get wrong when starting outIf you want to build a roofing business that’s profitable, scalable, and less dependent on you — this episode is packed with practical advice.SPONSORS:SMA SupportAs your roofing company grows, the chaos usually grows with it: production tracking, supplements, admin work, scheduling, follow-up, and more.SMA Support helps roofing companies simplify operations with trained virtual assistants, inside sales support, CRM management, and back-office help so owners can focus on growing the business instead of constantly putting out fires.Learn more at:https://theroofercoach.com/smaProLine CRMMost roofing companies don’t have a lead problem — they have a follow-up problem.ProLine CRM helps roofing contractors automate follow-up, manage pipelines, track leads, build proposals, and sell more jobs without the chaos.Learn more at:https://theroofercoach.com/prolineUse promo code DAVE50 for 50% off your first month.WEBSITE:https://theroofercoach.comYOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/@TheRooferShowLooking for guidance and accountability to help build a more profitable roofing business?Schedule a strategy call at:https://davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call About The Roofer ShowThe Roofer Show Podcast helps roofing contractors grow their businesses, make more money, and have more free time.Hosted by Dave Sullivan, The Roofer Coach, the show shares practical advice on roofing sales, marketing, operations, leadership, and financial management.