To find roofing issues, most people have to look up. Are shingles missing, curling, cracking,
or crumbling? Are there water stains on the ceiling? Are there stains near a chimney,
bathroom, or skylight? These details can indicate larger issues that a professional may need
to assess.
However, when a roofing contractor comes to examine a problem or plan for a project, they may
be looking down rather than up. Technology allows contractors to get a real bird’s eye view
of a building before a project commences. Thanks to high tech tools, the entire planning
and estimating process for a new roof can be done virtually.
EagleView Technology
Cameron Roofing has long been using EagleView technology to capture high-resolution
images in order to make roof measurements. Using planes that fly some 2,000 feet in the
air, overhead pictures are taken that then produce exact measurements in the square footage
of the structure being assessed. These images measure the pitch of the roof as well. These
photos help to provide precise quotes for different roofing projects. This technology also
means that measurements don’t have to be rescheduled due to bad weather (often the case
when measuring by hand) which helps ensure that projects start on time.
EagleView images appear in 16x higher definition than images that are taken by satellite,
which means that every facet of a roof can be examined down to the decimal point. This
allows companies to price projects by different line items (say a garage roof for one and a
shed as another) and it is all easily accomplished in one go. The images aren’t just flat
measurements; they take into account peaks and eaves (so vent and gutter work can be
estimated at the same time). The EagleView images are much more exact than even onsite
hand measurements when pricing out a project.
EagleView is a worldwide company, but they also have a local office here in Rochester, NY. The
reports they offer don’t just reveal accurate cost estimates for customers and contractors,
but also allow contractors to order the proper amount of material for any project right
away. This helps to expedite projects, as it allows us to provide these images and visuals to
crews prior to starting a job so everyone understands what needs to be done before they
even reach a new job site.
Digital Communications
While it is always preferable to meet with clients face to face, email, phone, and
videoconference are always available if clients have questions or need to go through
project details on a tight schedule. Using the visuals and diagrams provided by EagleView
means that project details are easily available for everyone to see and clients and teams can
stay on the same page even if they are not in the same room.