Why Roofing Contractors should Use Email Marketing to Stay in Touch With Past Clients

Staying connected with past clients is one of the smartest marketing moves a roofing contractor can make—and email marketing is one of the most effective and affordable ways to do it. Whether you run a small local roofing company or a larger operation, implementing a thoughtful email strategy can boost your bottom line, build long-term relationships, and even generate referrals.

In this post, we’ll break down why email marketing is worth your attention, how to use it effectively, and what you risk losing by ignoring it.

The ROI of Email Marketing for Roofing Contractors

Email marketing offers one of the highest returns on investment of any marketing strategy—across all industries. According to industry research, businesses earn an average of $36 to $42 for every $1 spent on email marketing. That’s an incredible return, especially for small businesses with limited marketing budgets.

For roofing contractors, the benefits are even more pronounced. Roofing is a high-ticket service, and even a single job booked from an email campaign can yield thousands in revenue. Here’s how the ROI plays out for roofers:

• Cost-effective: Email tools like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or ActiveCampaign offer affordable plans tailored to small businesses.

• Low overhead: No printing, postage, or door-to-door sales costs.

• High visibility: Emails go straight to a homeowner’s inbox, keeping your name top-of-mind when they need service.
  Scalable: Whether you have 50 past clients or 500, you can manage campaigns with the same effort.

In short, the ROI from email marketing is hard to beat—especially when you compare it to more expensive channels like paid ads or direct mail.

What Happens When You Don’t Stay in Touch?

It’s easy to forget about past clients after a roof is installed or repaired. But if you’re not keeping in touch, you’re potentially leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

Here’s what can happen when roofers don’t maintain regular contact:

• Clients forget your name: Even satisfied homeowners may not remember your company a year or two after the job. If a leak appears or they want to refer you, they might Google a new contractor instead.

• Competitors move in: If your competitors are using email marketing and you're not, they’ll be the ones showing up in inboxes—and on new job sites.

• Missed upsell opportunities: Many roofing jobs are followed by future needs—gutter work, inspections, roof cleaning, attic insulation. If you’re not emailing clients, they won’t think of you first for additional services.

• Fewer referrals: Happy clients are a great source of word-of-mouth referrals, but only if you stay in their minds.

Put simply: staying in touch means staying in business.

Best Email Marketing Strategies for Roofing Contractors

Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s dive into the “how.” You don’t need to be a marketing guru to set up an effective email strategy. Just a few consistent practices can go a long way.

1. Build a List of Past and Current Clients

Start by collecting emails from every customer you serve. Keep your list organized in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool or an email platform like Mailchimp.

Don’t just stop at current jobs—import contacts from past years if you have them. These homeowners already know your work and are your warmest leads.

2. Send a Monthly or Quarterly Newsletter

A simple, branded newsletter once a month (or at least once a quarter) keeps your name in front of homeowners. Here’s what to include:

• Seasonal maintenance tips

• Roof inspection reminders

• Promotions or discounts

• Updates about your business (awards, team news, etc.)

• Customer testimonials

Even if they don’t need roofing services today, your email keeps you in their mental Rolodex.

3. Use Email Campaigns for Seasonal Check-Ins

Timing is everything. Email campaigns around spring storms, fall prep, or post-winter damage can drive repeat business. For example:

• “Is Your Roof Ready for Hurricane Season?”

• “Fall Checklist: Get Your Roof Inspected Before the Cold Hits”

• “Spotted a Leak After Last Night’s Storm?”

These campaigns create urgency and remind homeowners to act before small issues become expensive repairs.

4. Offer Maintenance Plans and Reminders

Email is perfect for promoting annual maintenance plans or roof inspections. Send automated reminders when a year has passed since the original job.

• “It’s Been a Year Since We Fixed Your Roof—Let’s Check In”

• “Prevent Leaks Before They Start: Book Your Annual Inspection Today”

These gentle nudges show professionalism and can lead to recurring revenue.

5. Ask for Reviews and Referrals

Email follow-ups after a completed job are ideal for requesting reviews on Google or Facebook. You can also ask for referrals:

• “Thanks for choosing [Your Company Name]! If you know anyone needing roofing help, we’d be grateful for the referral.”

A small referral bonus (like a $25 gift card) can increase participation.

Tips for Making Your Emails More Effective

Not all emails are created equal. Here are some tips to boost engagement:

• Use clear subject lines: “Need a Roof Inspection?” beats “March Newsletter.”

• Keep it short and skimmable: Use bullet points, images, and brief paragraphs.

• Brand your emails: Use your logo, company colors, and a consistent tone.

• Include a call to action (CTA): Every email should invite readers to do something—schedule a call, click to your blog, or request a quote.

• Segment your list: Send different messages to recent clients, long-term customers, or those who only requested a quote.

Tools to Help You Get Started

You don’t need to start from scratch. These tools make email marketing manageable—even for busy contractors:

• Mailchimp – Great for beginners, with easy templates and automation.

• ActiveCampaign – Offers more advanced automations if you want to scale up.

• Jobber or Housecall Pro – Field service CRMs that integrate email marketing with your client database.

Whichever platform you choose, make sure it allows you to create automated campaigns and track open/click rates.

Final Thoughts: Stay Top-of-Mind and Win More Work

Roofing might not be a weekly need for most homeowners, but when the time comes, you want to be the first name they remember. Email marketing helps you stay connected, build trust, and win repeat and referral business without spending a fortune.

Don’t let your past clients become someone else’s future customers.

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