Hover continues its focus on service and safety with new technology designed to help contractors seamlessly bring innovative visualization tools to customers. In this exclusive Q&A,  Kevin Sturm, Hover’s head of industry and product marketing, explains how the company’s roots in safety translated to growing success in the roofing, construction and insurance industries. He also discusses Hover’s latest innovations and how they're helping roofing contractors improve workflows, safety outcomes and the overall customer experience.

RC: How do Hover's latest innovations improve contractor safety?

KS: According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of serious injury and death in construction. Hover's technology captures precise measurements of any structure with just a phone – no tape measure or ladders required. What’s more, with AI technology like Hover Instant Design, contractors and homeowners can get on the same page more quickly, reducing the need for potential rework down the line, that could open up to errors or further risk.
 

RC: Was incorporating safety always part of Hover's business model, or did  that develop upon getting feedback?

KS: At Hover, we are committed to serving our customers. This is apparent in the constant innovation we do together with partners including top insurance carriers, construction companies, distributors and manufacturers. Every product is the result of paying attention to our customers and developing technology to fit their needs, with ease of use top of mind.
 
RC: Software tools and tech are not the typical spaces contractors look for safety benefits. How has that mindset changed?

KS: Many of our customers are looking for efficiency gains in their business, to understand how they can do more in less time. They aren’t necessarily satisfied with the status quo, and are seeking ways to differentiate from the competition. Based on our Hover 2024 ROI survey, contractors save on average 45 minutes per job measuring a roof and 83 minutes per job measuring the entire project exterior. That time savings means employees are not rushing through hand measurements when on a ladder or on a roof. The right technology eliminates the traditional tradeoff between speed and safety.
 

RC: How do you get more contractor buy-in?

KS: Like anything, seeing is believing. Our top customers have seen first-hand the value of showing homeowners exactly what their project will look like. We’ve heard from customers using Hover – particularly our new Instant Design offering – that they are saving time on administrative tasks, and spending more time talking to customers about making their dream home a reality. The future is tech-assisted workflows that enable professionals to do their best possible work in minimal time, with minimal effort. 

RC: What's next? Any innovations or R&D priorities with safety in mind? 

KS: Research and development has been a consistent priority for Hover over the last decade. There are two worth noting here:

1. Hover Instant Design. This latest technology allows contractors to show homeowners the design possibilities of their home in real-time. Professionals can design projects from the kitchen table using just a photo, or embed the experience on their website to generate leads. With Hover's comprehensive platform, contractors need only one app to design, document, measure, estimate, and sell—eliminating the need for potentially dangerous roof measurements or precarious photography positions. Together with our customers, we can prioritize worker safety while enhancing client experience and project efficiency.
2. Hover interior solutions, including Virtual Walkthrough. Designed for insurance professionals, this solution allows complete interior and exterior scans in minutes using just a phone. From that scan, Hover delivers precise measurements and a 3D model of everything from walls to floors to cabinets. By eliminating the need to manually measure damaged areas, this technology keeps professionals safe during post-disaster assessments while providing more accurate documentation for insurance claims and restoration work.