Communication is key to the smooth running of any project, allowing peace of mind for the customer as well as the chance to iron out any problems or make ongoing changes as the work progresses.
Kingsley Roofing Services in Northampton has recently invested in new software, accessible via app or website, that provides its clients with real-time information, including up-to-date photographs.
So far, it has proved its worth, with anyone from individual property owners who don’t live locally to main contractors in major new home schemes being able to keep a close eye on the progress of the work.
Managing Director, Paul Bone, said: “What the new system means is that we can send daily reports to clients on the progress of the job. We can upload any information they might need, along with photographs of how things are progressing.
“If they take a look and there’s something they’re not sure about, or want to change, they can let us know there and then, before work progresses too far. They can do things like superimpose images on the photographs we send them if they think it might be helpful.
They will also be informed if we haven’t been on site that day because conditions weren’t suitable, and the local weather will be recorded to back that up.”
Kingsley Roofing Services was established six years ago and now employs a team of 10 skilled roofers. Around half of the firm’s projects are roofs for commercial new builds and complete roof repairs, lead work, flat roofs and pitched, as well as fascia and guttering services.
The rest of the order book is focused on heritage roofing – a specialism of the company – which encompasses the traditional crafts and techniques that are required when replacing roofs or carrying out repairs on Grade I or II listed buildings and older, character buildings.
Attention detail means the firm has built a reputation for customer service and reliability, as well as the quality of its workmanship – which is behind the decision to invest in the new client log-in system.
“There’s no doubt that there is a lot of mistrust in the construction industry,” said Paul. “It’s a minority giving the sector a bad name, on the whole, but it’s important that clients can trust the people they have working on their properties.
“One of the first clients to trial our system was someone who doesn’t live locally but was arranging a roofing job on his elderly father’s property. He thought it was fantastic to be able to see regular updates and know that at a certain time every day he would get proof that we were getting on with it and doing a good job, even though he couldn’t be around to keep a close eye on things.
“Main contractors on new build schemes use it to keep track of how things are progressing without having to go through what can be a few days’ of raising a query with me, and me getting answers from the teams out on site in order to feed back. This way they have everything to hand when they need it.
“And system not only provides the information in real time, it also means that everything is stored in one place, which makes it so much easier to go back to earlier messages and check up on what was agreed, what decisions were made, without trawling through archived emails.
“Our teams have all gone through the training they need to use the system properly, but for the end user it is all very simple. The system can be accessed through an app or website, so it’s easy to use wherever happen to be.”
Giving back
Paul and the team at Kingsley Roofing Services are supporting Northamptonshire Community Aid, an organisation that distributes financial support to small, local charities.
As part of the fundraising efforts, Paul is currently putting in the miles to complete a run equivalent to Land’s End to John O’Groats, and, depending on the lifting of regulations later this year, the company intend to hold a dinner and networking event for businesses in October.
Paul said: “Like many businesses, we are keen to do something for the local community and this is an excellent way to do it as it reaches small groups that sometimes find it difficult to raise money. Even given the current situation, it’s amazing what local businesses are still prepared to do to support charities and community groups.”
For more information about Kingsley Roofing Services, call 01604 242794 or visit www.kingsleyroofers.co.uk. To find out more about Northamptonshire Community Aid, visit www.northantscommunityaid.org.uk
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