Heading into 2025, homeowners are still turning to Google when they need a roofer, and local visibility continues to drive high-quality leads. Many contractors spend money on marketing without understanding how local SEO and Google Maps actually work. In this episode, Dave breaks down the fundamentals of local search, what really drives inbound leads, and how to improve visibility without relying solely on paid ads.

In this episode, I sit down with Greg DeSimone to break down what truly creates value in a roofing business, and why so many contractors end up walking away with far less than they expected when it’s time to exit.

This conversation isn’t just about selling your business. It’s about building a company that’s profitable, transferable, and not dependent on you showing up every day.

Many roofing contractors assume that revenue alone determines business value, but buyers and private equity groups see things very differently.

Today, Dave Sullivan and Greg DeSimone discuss the real drivers of business valuation in the roofing and home services industry. They unpack why systems, leadership depth, clean financials, and predictable profits matter far more than top-line sales.

Dave shares firsthand insight from building and exiting his own roofing company, explaining how contractors can unintentionally trap themselves inside their business by failing to delegate, document processes, and build a leadership team.

The key takeaway is simple:

You don’t build value at the end; you build it years in advance.

Whether you plan to sell, step back, or just run a stronger business, this episode lays out what needs to be in place to make your company valuable, on your terms.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

1. Revenue alone does not equal business value
2. Buyers look for systems, leadership, and clean financials
3. A business dependent on the owner has limited value
4. Profitability and predictability matter more than growth
5. Exit planning should start years before you plan to sell
6. Strong businesses are built to run without the owner

Resources:

Connect with Dave!

Text Dave: (510) 612-1450

Free Strategy Call

Want to grow a more profitable roofing business? Book a free strategy call with Dave here → davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Free Resource

Download your FREE 1-Page Business Plan for Roofing Contractors → theroofershow.com/plan

Watch on YouTube

Subscribe for weekly tips and full episodes → @DaveSullivanRooferShow

Trusted & Vetted Sponsors

Ruby Receptionists – US-based professionals who answer your phones live, leave a great first impression, and tee up the sale. Get $150 off your first month → theroofercoach.com/ruby.

ProLine – Automate your follow-up and close more jobs with text, email, and CRM integration. Try it FREE + save 50% off your...

Today, host Dave Sullivan dives into the marketing challenges that roofing contractors deal with every day. He really stresses the importance of transparency and actually understanding where your marketing dollars are going. Dave shares some real-life lessons from his coaching clients, pointing out why it’s crucial to track key metrics, pre-qualify your leads, and make sure your sales and marketing teams are working together. He also gives some super practical tips on how to audit your marketing agency, set the right KPIs, and use tools like Proline CRM to see what’s actually working. Dave encourages contractors to focus on booking appointments, building a strong sales team, and joining mastermind groups for extra support. It’s all about helping you grow a profitable roofing business, without all the stress!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Importance of marketing for roofing contractors and common challenges faced
• Insights into a client's struggles with marketing despite high spending
• The three critical components of a roofing business: selling work, doing work, and keeping score
• Necessity of understanding financial metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Issues with transparency and clarity in marketing expenditures and results
• The significance of pre-qualifying leads and tracking conversion rates
• Recommendations for effective marketing strategies and budget allocation
• Role of independent audits to assess marketing effectiveness and agency performance
• The need for a solid sales process to convert leads into customers
• Emphasis on continuous improvement, tracking, and accountability in marketing and sales efforts

Resources:

Connect with Dave!

Text Dave: (510) 612-1450

Free Strategy Call

Want to grow a more profitable roofing business? Book a free strategy call with Dave here → davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Free Resource

Download your FREE 1-Page Business Plan for Roofing Contractors → theroofershow.com/plan

Watch on YouTube

Subscribe for weekly tips and full episodes → @DaveSullivanRooferShow

Trusted & Vetted Sponsors

Ruby Receptionists – US-based professionals who answer your phones live, leave a great first impression, and tee up the sale. Get $150 off your first month → theroofercoach.com/ruby.

ProLine – Automate your follow-up and close more jobs with text, email, and CRM integration. Try it FREE + save 50% off your first month with code DAVE50 → useproline.com.

SMA Support – Roofing-specific virtual assistants who know the business. Free up your time by outsourcing admin, marketing, and customer service tasks → smasupport.us.

Today, Dave Sullivan sits down with Scott Tebay, a fellow roofing business owner and a voice behind Roofer2Roofer podcast, for a real, no-nonsense chat about what it really takes to run a successful roofing company without losing your sanity. Scott opens up about his own journey, from chasing nonstop growth to building a business that actually fits his life. He gets honest about why he’s wary of private equity, and why having a loyal team matters so much.

You’ll hear them swap stories and tips on everything from rebranding and grassroots marketing to making the most of virtual assistants, tracking the right numbers, and leading with authenticity. If you’re a contractor looking for practical advice on growing your business sustainably, while still having a life, this episode is packed with insights you can actually use. Don’t miss it!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Strategies for growing a roofing business and increasing profitability
• Balancing work and family life as a roofing contractor
• The impact of private equity on the roofing industry and business ownership
• Importance of defining personal success and creating a roadmap to achieve it
• Effective marketing strategies, including organic lead generation and community engagement
• The role of virtual assistants in streamlining business operations
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring business health and profitability
• Significance of maintaining a strong team and company culture
• Insights on rebranding and its potential risks and rewards
• Challenges and considerations of managing repairs versus full roof replacements

Resources:

Connect with Scott!

Website, Email, and the Small Town Roofer Podcast

Connect with Dave!

Text Dave: (510) 612-1450

Free Strategy Call

Want to grow a more profitable roofing business? Book a free strategy call with Dave here → davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Free Resource

Download your FREE 1-Page Business Plan for Roofing Contractors → theroofershow.com/plan

Watch on YouTube

Subscribe for weekly tips and full episodes → @DaveSullivanRooferShow

Trusted & Vetted Sponsors

Ruby Receptionists – US-based professionals who answer your phones live, leave a great first impression, and tee up the sale. Get $150 off your first month → theroofercoach.com/ruby.

ProLine – Automate your follow-up and close more jobs with text, email, and CRM integration. Try it FREE + save 50% off your first month with code DAVE50 → useproline.com.

SMA Support – Roofing-specific virtual assistants who know the business. Free up your time by outsourcing admin, marketing, and customer service tasks → smasupport.us.