State of the Industry
Roofing Industry Q&A 2026: Hover
Hover’s Patrick Stuart highlights the recent trends their watching and how the new innovations Hover is bringing to the market can change how roofing contractors work in this exclusive Q&A.

Editor’s Note: Gauging the pulse of the roofing industry is an annual challenge RC continues to undertake as roofing contractors adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace. In addition to the survey results from last fall that built RC’s 2026 State of the Roofing Industry Report, RC also sought out the opinions of leaders from all segments of the industry.
As part of RC’s continuing coverage, here’s what Patrick Stuart, VP, Product Management at Hover shared with us.
How would you characterize the state of the roofing industry looking at 2026?
PS: According to recent market-research reports, the U.S. roofing market is on track for steady growth: estimates show the market growing from roughly $31.4 billion in 2025 to over $42 billion by 2030.
That said, growth comes with more complexity in 2026 than past cycles––rising input-costs, supply-chain uncertainty, and regulatory headwinds, especially tariffs on steel and aluminum, are requiring contractors to adjust quickly. At the same time, demand remains elevated because of homeowners' increased preferences for renovations in the face of high moving costs, and rising climate-driven needs for roof repair after severe weather events.
Any recent trends that you’re monitoring?
PS: One of the most significant trends is the rising cost and supply instability caused by trade and tariff policies. Recent 2025 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum—key materials for many roofing systems—have driven costs up and introduced uncertainty that is affecting project timelines. For roofing contractors, this means rethinking estimates, and increasingly looking for alternative materials or supply sources.
At the same time, there’s growing technological momentum: demand for accurate measurements, design ideas, and workflow tools is accelerating. The roofing and broader construction industry is facing a persistent shortage of skilled labor; the average age of construction workers continues to rise, while attracting younger and more technology-savvy workers remains a major challenge. The broader adoption of modern technology in our industry will be crucial to attracting younger workers to the trade. Hover’s platform is built around transforming easy smartphone scans into accurate 3D models, which is a capability many contractors are embracing to reduce waste, avoid errors, and hire and train team members more effectively.
Why is there a lot of optimism over sales and do you share that view?
PS: The growth trajectory for the roofing market remains favorable, mostly driven by high renovation demand. Many homeowners are opting to stay in place and upgrade because new home prices are only getting more expensive.
Second, increasing awareness of climate risk and weather-related damage is prompting more frequent inspections, maintenance, and upgrades––especially after severe storms or hurricanes.
How is your company adapting to meet changing market demands?
PS: Hover has stayed closely connected to the pros and customers we serve, continuously listening to their needs and evolving alongside the changing industry. By maintaining feedback loops and strong partnerships, we ensure our platform solves real day-to-day challenges, not theoretical ones. Those insights fuel the heavy research and development investment we make into our technology. It allows us to meet today’s expectations while anticipating what our customers will need next, and consistently deliver solutions that help them stay competitive in their work.
Hover is building toward the future needs of roofing contractors by launching a new integrated platform in 2026 that simplifies and modernizes core workflows.
In today’s climate with material-price volatility and labor shortages, the demand for more speed and precision isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. By removing much of the manual overhead Hover empowers contractors to bid more jobs confidently and deliver faster.
Looking ahead, we’re continuing to invest in innovations so that as the roofing industry evolves and our platform grows with it.
How are you responding to the ongoing consolidation and private equity involvement in roofing?
PS: Consolidation is changing the roofing industry, but it does not change what contractors and homeowners need most: clarity, accuracy, and efficiency during a home improvement project
As organizations scale across numerous branches, there is a growing need to standardize workflows, execute effectively, and produce repeatable results. The companies that do this well make it easier for reps to focus on selling, and for customers to have a more consistent experience.
We are still focused on building technology that supports scale without sacrificing quality, whether it be for a two- or two hundred-person team. That means investing in product innovation and teams that understand how visualization, accuracy, and detailed project information work together to create a better experience for both contractors and homeowners. By anchoring the process in clear, visual communication and reducing friction throughout the workflow, we help our customers operate more efficiently while delivering an experience that builds trust and closes jobs faster.
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