ROSEMONT, Ill. — In July, more than 300 respondents in the U.S. and Canada shared their perspectives on the current state of the reroofing industry by completing the most recent Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing. The survey takes the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serves as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. 

Survey participants included roofing contractors (67%) and roof consultants (33%). Most respondents indicated they provide low-slope and steep-slope roofing services (46%) or exclusively work on low-slope roof systems (42%). All regions of the U.S. and most Canadian provinces were represented. 

The survey results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved or held steady during the second quarter of 2021 when compared with the same quarter in 2020. 

More than half (54%) of respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 17% indicated a decrease in customer inquiries. Project contracts increased for 54% of respondents, 28% of respondents indicated no change in activity and 17% reported a decrease in project contracts. 

Data comparing business during the first and second quarters of 2021 revealed similar patterns: 

• Customer inquiries increased for 53% of respondents, did not change for 31% of respondents and decreased for 16%. 
• Project contracts increased for 53% of respondents, did not change for 33% of respondents and decreased for 15%. 

As of July 2021, 16% of roofing contractors reported no project backlogs, 38% reported project backlogs of one to two months and 20% reported project backlogs of three to four months. Twenty-six percent of roofing contractors reported project backlogs of five months or more. 

The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification at bit.ly/37ank7D.