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 | Jun 30, 2020
The great reset and our new work life
As many countries begin to return to the office, it’s a chance to ask ourselves: what do we truly value?
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
Infection control in buildings in the age of the coronavirus
Controlling future infection spreads could become job one for most buildings and spaces.
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
ICYMI The Weekly show: The hotel sector's 'competition for cleanliness' and workplace design amid COVID-19
This week on The Weekly (June 25 episode), BD+C editors spoke with leaders from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Henderson Engineers, and Shawmut Design & Construction on three timely topics.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
A look back at design standard shifts: ADA vs. COVID-19
The short story is official design guidelines are slow to be developed and made into law.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
WATG designs solution for isolating without sacrificing social connectivity
The design was inspired by oriel bay windows.
Coronavirus | Jun 22, 2020
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Jun 18, 2020
Brown University tops off first housing building in three decades
The facility, scheduled for completion next April, will combine a residence hall with student health services.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
HOK and Germfree partner to design mobile COVID-19 testing lab
Access to quick, reliable, and repeated testing has been one of the greatest challenges for businesses, institutions and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
Guiding changes in the workplace: Past, present, and future
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are managing sudden change as they assess the impact on workplace design and how people use spaces.
