An Untapped Market Ripe for Innovation
We’ve heard from many metal roofing contractors recently about bidding and roofing historic buildings. In many cases, these projects are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While on the register, those who own or manage the property can still modify and restore it themselves. (Keep in mind that other authorities may have jurisdiction.) The property is recognized for its significance to our nation’s history and for its architectural design or authenticity.
In some cases, these properties are privately owned, but they are often government-owned or owned by corporations. However, thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, some of them may have federal funds available for revitalization—an incentive for them to move forward with restoration sooner rather than later.
If your company is looking for leads or perhaps new markets right now, we recommend following this link and downloading the list of registered properties. There are nearly 100,000 of them nationally! Once you have the complete list, you can easily find those in the counties you service.
Look for properties with old slate, asbestos, wood, or metal roofs, and then contact them directly. Explain that metal offers a great low-weight option available in many styles, colors, and even custom colors for historic properties. We’ve found the availability of custom colors to be a strong selling point, as many older buildings have a unique look to maintain. Then, invite them to meet with you to discuss their options.
We’ve had success reaching out to several organizations, both for larger multi-building projects and for historic homes. You can read more about the restoration process for Shadelands Ranch in Walnut Creek, California, or Heritage Junction in Santa Clarita, California.
The time seems ripe with many of these properties starting restoration or remodeling projects and often needing help knowing where to start. Proactively reaching out puts you in a good spot to leverage your roofing expertise and help solve one of the most persistent problems affecting older buildings: maintaining a durable roof.
Also, while this is not for the faint of heart, we have seen contractors successfully pursuing church steeple restoration. Many of these spires have asbestos or slate roofs that have outlived their useful lives and need to be replaced. Slate-look metal shingles can be a perfect option for these projects. (By the way, many historic churches are on the National Register.)
Historic restoration can be a powerful untapped market for you and your business. There are dozens of projects out there for the taking, and they often pay very well for contractors willing to step outside their normal work and pursue unique marketing ideas.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Historic restorations often present unique challenges, and I’d be happy to share how we’ve overcome them.
Todd Miller has spent his entire career in the metal building products manufacturing industry. He is president of Isaiah Industries, an organization recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers. Todd is currently Vice President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Association) and a Past Chair of MCA (Metal Construction Association). Through his website, he strives to raise the bar on standards and practices to provide property owners with the best possible products for successful roofing projects.
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