A new survey from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) shows that the majority (52%) of roofing contractors said the coronavirus-fueled economic shutdown has already had a "significant" or "very significant" effect on their businesses.
The biggest negative impact reported was a slowdown in normal bid activity (58.9%), followed by reduced customer demand for low-slope roofing work (48.0%). Nearly half of respondents (45.2%) had suffered job cancellations.
NRCA survey: COVID-19 effect on roofing contractor businesses, especially for low-slope roofing.
As of April 7, 2020, one in six respondents (16.8%) had had to lay off workers. A small group (6.4%) said their firms had been forced to close shop. The majority (55.6%) had taken no action in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
MOST ROOFING CONTRACTORS HAD TROUBLE GETTING ACCESS TO CONSTRUCTION SITES
About one-fifth (22.2%) of respondents said their business was experiencing trouble with material delivery, trucking, or other material sourcing interruptions. Nearly two out of three (65.3%) said building owners had limited contractor access to construction sites or buildings as part of their (the owners') coronavirus response plans.
Roofing contractors also reported other restrictions by local jurisdictions, notably service delays for inspections and permits (56.5%). More than one-third (36.5%) said local jurisdictions had stopped accepting applications for new permits.
NRDC: Actions taken by local jurisdictions as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
MOST ROOFERS SAID THEY WERE STILL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE
Despite all the negatives associated with the COVID-19, a strong majority of roofer respondents (61.9%) said they could be back in business "as usual" in less than a month once the all-clear was issued. The majority (56.3%) said they were "somewhat confident" about the future of their businesses, and 37.2% were "very confident."
NRCA survey: Most roofers expect to be back in business soon after the pandemic ends.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Oct 2, 2020
With revenues drying up, colleges reexamine their student housing projects
Shifts to online learning raise questions about the value of campus residence life.
Coronavirus | Oct 1, 2020
The Weekly show: Decarbonizing Chicago, re-evaluating delayed projects, and the future of the jobsite
The October 1 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Sep 28, 2020
Cities to boost spending on green initiatives after the pandemic
More bikeways, car restrictions, mass transit, climate resilience are on tap.
Coronavirus | Sep 28, 2020
Evaluating and investing resources to navigate past the COVID-19 pandemic
As AEC firm leaders consider worst-case scenarios and explore possible solutions to surmount them, they learn to become nimble, quick, and ready to pivot as circumstances demand.
Coronavirus | Sep 24, 2020
The Weekly show: Building optimization tech, the future of smart cities, and storm shelter design
The September 24 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Sep 10, 2020
Mobile ordering is a centerpiece of Burger King’s new design
Its reimagined restaurants are 60% smaller, with several pickup options.
Coronavirus | Sep 9, 2020
Prefab: Construction’s secret weapon against COVID-19
How to know if offsite production is right for your project.
Coronavirus | Sep 3, 2020
The Weekly show: JLL's construction outlook for 2020, and COVID-19's impact on sustainability
The September 3 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Sep 1, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 1, 2020
Co-working developers pivot to survive the pandemic, and the rise of inquiry-based learning in K-12 communities.
Coronavirus | Aug 28, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 28, 2020
Hotel occupancy likely to dip by 29%, and pandemic helps cannabis industry gain firmer footing.
