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
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 18, 2024
A modular construction solution to the mental healthcare crisis
Maria Ionescu, Senior Medical Planner, Stantec, shares a tested solution for the overburdened emergency department: Modular hub-and-spoke design.
Office Buildings | Mar 8, 2024
Conference room design for the hybrid era
Sam Griesgraber, Senior Interior Designer, BWBR, shares considerations for conference room design in the era of hybrid work.
Airports | Jan 15, 2024
How to keep airports functional during construction
Gensler's aviation experts share new ideas about how to make the airport construction process better moving forward.
Apartments | Jan 9, 2024
Apartment developer survey indicates dramatic decrease in starts this year
Over 56 developers, operators, and investors across the country were surveyed in John Burns Research and Consulting's recently-launched Apartment Developer and Investor Survey.
MFPRO+ Special Reports | Jan 4, 2024
Top 10 trends in multifamily rental housing
Demographic and economic shifts, along with work and lifestyle changes, have made apartment living preferable for a wider range of buyers and renters. These top 10 trends in multifamily housing come from BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Annual Report.
Urban Planning | Dec 18, 2023
The impacts of affordability, remote work, and personal safety on urban life
Data from Gensler's City Pulse Survey shows that although people are satisfied with their city's experience, it may not be enough.
Senior Living Design | Oct 30, 2023
Navigating architectural challenges—from 'unbuildable' to unbelievable
Mick Schaefer, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, recounts the challenges Vessel Architecture & Design had to overcome while designing a state-of-the-art senior living facility.
Healthcare Facilities | Sep 8, 2023
Modern healthcare interiors: Healing and care from the outside in
CO Architects shares design tips for healthcare interiors, from front desk to patient rooms.
Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2023
Office leasing in major markets by financial services firms rebounds to pre-pandemic norms
Though the pandemic led to reductions in office leasing by financial services firms in gateway markets, a recent report by JLL found a notable leasing resurgence by those firms.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 29, 2023
5 ways to rethink the future of multifamily development and design
The Gensler Research Institute’s investigation into the residential experience indicates a need for fresh perspectives on residential design and development, challenging norms, and raising the bar.
