The roofing industry is a different planet from plumbing or HVAC.
A plumber dispatches a tech to fix a leak, bills the customer $300, and leaves. It’s a transactional, 2-hour cycle.
A roofer? You are managing a 2-month lifecycle that feels more like a legal battle than a construction job. You knock the door, order an aerial measurement, fight with the insurance adjuster over missed flashing, order 40 “Squares” of shingles from ABC Supply, schedule the dumpster, manage a subcontractor crew you’ve never met, and file a supplement for rotted decking three weeks later.
If you try to run a storm restoration business using generic “Field Service” software like Jobber, you will struggle. It simply cannot handle the complexity of Xactimate claims, material ordering, and production boards.
This guide acts as your filter. We have analyzed the market leaders—AccuLynx, JobNimbus, and Roofr—to help you find the tool that matches your specific business model, whether you are a “Retail Repair” shop or a “Storm Chasing” machine.
Quick Definitions
Aerial Measurement: A satellite report (EagleView, Roofr) that tells you the exact square footage, pitch, and waste factor of a roof without you climbing a ladder.
Square (SQ): The standard unit of roofing. 1 Square = 100 sq. ft.
Supplement: An additional bill sent to the insurance company for damage discovered after work begins (e.g., rotted decking, ice & water shield code upgrades).
Production Board: A Kanban-style board (To Do -> In Progress -> Done) used to track the physical build process.
Canvassing: The art of door-to-door sales. Tracking which houses you’ve knocked on and which neighbors are “Warm Leads.”
Xactimate: The pricing software used by 90% of insurance adjusters. Your software must speak this language.
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobber ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5) | 🚀 Best Overall Small to Med Business | $19 / month | Try Free Read Review |
| Workiz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5) | 📞 Best for Dispatch Locksmith & Garage | $29 / month | Try Free Read Review |
| Housecall Pro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.6/5) | 🎨 Best for Visuals Residential Sales | $49 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| ServiceTitan ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) | 🏢 Best for Enterprise Commercial & Heavy Service | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| FieldPulse ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) | 📱 Best Mobile App Easy to Use | $59 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| RepairShopr ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5) | 💻 Best for Repair Shops IT & Electronics | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Simpro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5) | 🏗️ Best for Projects Construction & Security | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| Service Fusion ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5) | 🎧 Best for VoIP Mid-Market Service | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| FieldEdge ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5) | 🔄 Best for QB Desktop Legacy Sync Users | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Successware ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5) | 📊 Best for Accounting Plumbing & HVAC | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Zoho Field Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.1/5) | 💰 Best Budget Zoho Users | $15 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| Thryv ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0/5) | 📢 Best for Marketing All-in-One CRM | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| RazorSync ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.9/5) | ⚡ Simple Service Field Service Basics | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
✅ Verified Data: Checks on Jan 29, 2026 via vendor portals.
Source: Pricing Index
(DOI/Dataset).
Disclosure: We may earn commissions. Learn more & Methodology.
Why “Generic” Software Fails Roofers
Before looking at specific apps, you must understand why the “Big Names” in field service (ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro) often struggle in the roofing vertical.
The Workflow Mismatch:
- Generic Flow: Schedule -> Dispatch -> Invoice.
- Roofing Flow: Lead -> Measure -> Estimate -> Sign Contingency -> Insurance Approval -> Material Order -> Production -> Supplement -> Invoice.
The Missing Features:
- Aerial Integration: Generic apps don’t let you order an EagleView report with one click inside the job file.
- Insurance Fields: They lack fields for “Claim Number,” “Deductible,” “Adjuster Name,” and “Depreciation.”
- Subcontractor Portals: Most roofers use 1099 crews. Generic apps charge “per user,” making it too expensive to give your crews login access.
The Verdict: Only use generic software (like Jobber) if you are doing simple Retail Repairs (patching leaks, cleaning gutters). If you do full replacements or insurance work, get specialized Roofing CRM software.
The “Big 2” Roofing Specialists
These are the heavyweights. They are designed specifically for the workflow of a roof replacement company.
1. AccuLynx: The “All-in-One” Standard
Best For: Insurance/Storm Restoration, Mid-to-Large Teams, “Railroad” Process.
AccuLynx is the most widely used software in the industry for a reason: It forces a process. It is “opinionated” software. It dictates how you should run your business, which is great for scaling a chaotic storm team.
- The Killer Feature: The Production Dashboard.
It allows you to manage the chaos of “Build Day.” You can see exactly which material orders are placed, which dumpsters are scheduled, and which crews are assigned—all in one view. - SmartDocs:
Its digital contract system is robust. You can send a “Contingency Agreement” for e-signature on the spot using the mobile app. - Integrations:
Deep integration with ABC Supply (for ordering materials directly) and EagleView. - The Downside:
It is expensive and rigid. You cannot easily customize the workflow. If you don’t like “The AccuLynx Way,” you will fight the software.
2. JobNimbus: The “Customizable” Lego Set
Best For: Retail Roofing, Sales Pipelines, Flexible Teams.
JobNimbus is the opposite of AccuLynx. It is a blank canvas. You can build any board, any status, and any automation you want.
- The Killer Feature: Kanban Boards. You can create visual “Boards” for everything.
- Sales Board: Lead -> Appointment -> Inspection -> Contract Signed.
- Production Board: Material Ordered -> Crew Scheduled -> In Progress -> Quality Check.
You drag and drop cards like Trello.
- Automation:
“If a card moves to ‘Job Completed,’ automatically email the customer a review request and text the project manager.” (This often uses Zapier integration logic built-in). - The Downside:
Because it is so customizable, the setup time is longer. You have to “build” your business inside it. It doesn’t come as pre-configured as AccuLynx.
The Supplement Game: Winning Against Insurance
In the “Storm Restoration” business, the initial check from the insurance company is almost never the final price. The profit lies in the Supplement.
You tear off the shingles and find rotted decking. Or you realize the local building code requires “Ice & Water Shield” in the valleys, but the insurance adjuster forgot to pay for it.
How Software Wins the Supplement
To get paid, you need proof. You cannot just call the adjuster and say “Trust me.”
- Photo Documentation: Using tools like CompanyCam (integrated with your CRM), your project manager snaps a photo of the rotted wood with a GPS and Time Stamp.
- Annotation: They draw an arrow on the photo: “Code requires replacement.”
- The Supplement Packet: Software like AccuLynx allows you to bundle these photos, the local code requirement PDF, and a revised estimate/quote into a single PDF packet.
- Tracking: The software tracks the status of the Supplement separately from the Main Claim. You know exactly how much money is “Pending Approval” vs. “Approved.”
Without Software: Photos get lost in text messages, supplements are forgotten, and you leave thousands of dollars of profit on the table.
Canvassing & Door Knocking Tech
Roofing sales usually begin at the front door. “Canvassing” is the lifeblood of the industry, but tracking it on paper is impossible.
The “SalesRabbit” Integration
Most modern Roofing CRMs (JobNimbus, AccuLynx) integrate with specialized canvassing apps like SalesRabbit or Spotio.
- The Workflow:
- The Knock: A canvasser knocks on 123 Main St. No answer. They drop a pin on the SalesRabbit map marked “Not Home.”
- The Lead: Next door, 125 Main St answers. They agree to a free inspection. The canvasser enters the name and phone number into SalesRabbit.
- The Sync: This data instantly pushes to JobNimbus. A “Lead” is created.
- The Hand-off: The Sales Manager sees the new lead in JobNimbus and assigns it to a “Closer” to run the appointment.
Why this matters: It eliminates data entry. The canvasser stays on the map; the closer stays in the CRM. The data flows automatically.
Managing Subcontractor Crews
Unlike plumbing or HVAC, most roofing companies do not employ their laborers. You hire “Crews” (Subcontractors) to do the tear-off and install.
This creates a management challenge: How do you tell them what to do without showing them your profit margins?
The “Crew App” Portal
Top-tier roofing software offers a specific “Subcontractor Portal” or specialized app view.
- Limited Visibility: The crew leader logs in. They see the address, the shingle color (e.g., “Owens Corning Driftwood”), the work order, and the safety notes.
- Price Hiding: They do not see the contract price or the insurance claim amount.
- Photo Verification: The app forces the crew to take photos at specific milestones:
- Drip Edge Install (Proof of ice & water shield).
- Valleys (Proof of proper weaving).
- Clean-up (Proof the yard is magnetic swept).
- Payment Trigger: You do not release the subcontractor’s check until all mandatory photos are uploaded to the Job Record.
Related: Coordinating these crews requires robust dispatch and scheduling features.
The “Challenger” & Retail Tools
3. Roofr: The Speed Demon
Best For: Instant Estimates, Small-to-Mid Retail, Lead Generation.
Roofr started as a cheap alternative to EagleView but has grown into a lightweight CRM. It is disrupting the market with speed.
- The Killer Feature: $10 Roof Reports.
Instead of paying $40-$80 for an EagleView and waiting 2 days, Roofr lets you trace the roof yourself on satellite imagery (DIY) or order a report for ~$15 that returns in hours. - Instant Estimator:
You can embed a “Get a Quote” widget on your website. Homeowners enter their address, Roofr calculates the size via satellite, and gives them a ballpark estimate (Good/Better/Best) instantly. This is a lead-gen machine.
Essential Integrations for Roofers
In roofing, your software is only as good as its connections. You need a “Tech Stack,” not just one app.
1. Measurements: The Cost of Accuracy
You cannot climb every roof to measure. You need satellite reports.
| Provider | Cost (Est.) | Speed | Accuracy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EagleView | $30 – $100+ | 12-48 Hrs | 99% (Guaranteed) | Insurance Claims (Adjusters trust it). |
| Roofr | $10 – $15 | < 4 Hrs | ~95-98% | Retail Quotes / Cash Bids. |
| Hover | Varies | 24 Hrs | High (3D Model) | Siding / Visualizing Colors. |
- Strategy: Use Roofr for your initial sales bid (cheaper/faster). Only order an EagleView if the claim is approved and you need exact measurements to fight an adjuster or order materials.
2. Photos: CompanyCam
CompanyCam is the undisputed king of roofing photos. It syncs with JobNimbus/AccuLynx instantly. You can send a link to the insurance adjuster showing the “Pre-Existing Damage” vs “Storm Damage” without clogging your email.
3. Material Ordering: ABC Supply / SRS / Beacon
Stop calling the supply house and reading a list of part numbers.
- Smart Order: Apps like AccuLynx integrate with ABC Supply’s catalog. You build your material list in the software, click “Order,” and it pushes directly to the local branch. You see your specific pricing live.
The Roofing Software Stress Test
Before you buy, run the software through this audit.
- [ ] EagleView Integration: Can I order a report without leaving the app?
- [ ] Supplier Sync: Can I see my live pricing from ABC Supply or SRS Distribution?
- [ ] Subcontractor Portal: Is there a way to send work orders to crews without revealing prices?
- [ ] Photo Management: Does it sync with CompanyCam, or is the photo uploader fast and reliable?
- [ ] Supplement Tracking: Is there a specific workflow for tracking “Pending Supplements”?
- [ ] QuickBooks Sync: Does it handle “Progress Invoicing” if I collect checks in stages? (See QuickBooks integration notes).
- [ ] Commission Tracking: Can it calculate sales rep commissions based on Gross Profit?
FAQ: Roofing Software
What is the best CRM for roofing sales?
JobNimbus and AccuLynx are the leaders. JobNimbus allows for more customized sales pipelines (Kanban boards), making it great for aggressive sales teams. AccuLynx offers a more structured, rigid process that ensures every rep follows the exact same steps.
Can I order materials directly from the software?
Yes, if you choose a specialized tool. AccuLynx and JobNimbus integrate with major distributors like ABC Supply, SRS, and Beacon. You can create a material order from your estimate and send it electronically to the supplier, ensuring accuracy and saving time on phone calls.
Is AccuLynx better than JobNimbus?
It depends on your personality.
Choose AccuLynx if: You want a “Railroad” system that forces everyone to follow a strict process. Great for insurance restoration.
Choose JobNimbus if: You want a “Lego” system that you can customize to fit your unique workflow. Great for retail and flexibility.
How accurate are aerial measurements?
EagleView is the gold standard (guaranteed accuracy) and is required by most insurance adjusters for claims. Roofr and Hover are excellent for retail estimates (95%+ accuracy) and are much cheaper and faster, but might be challenged by strict adjusters.
Does Jobber work for roofing companies?
It works well for Roofing Repair businesses (e.g., fixing leaks, cleaning gutters) where the job cycle is short. It does not work well for full Roof Replacements or Storm Restoration because it lacks features for supplements, production scheduling, and aerial measurement integration.
What is “Smart Order” integration?
This is a feature (often with ABC Supply) where the software pulls your live, negotiated pricing from the supplier. Instead of guessing that a bundle of shingles costs $30, you see exactly what your branch charges you today.
Do I need Xactimate integration?
Only if you do Insurance/Storm Work. Xactimate is the pricing standard used by insurance carriers. Your software needs to be able to import Xactimate estimates so you can match your bid to what the insurance company is paying.
How do I handle ‘On-Call’ dispatching at 2 AM?
While less common for full roof replacements, emergency tarping services need 24/7 response. Use a tool with robust SMS communication to alert crews of emergency “Catch-All” jobs immediately.
Can I track customer assets (e.g., Water Heater Serial #) for warranty?
In roofing, the “Asset” is the roof itself. You should track the “Installation Date,” “Shingle Manufacturer” (e.g., GAF Timberline), and “Warranty Period” in the CRM. This allows you to market “Annual Inspections” automatically before the warranty expires.
Can I track sales commissions in the software?
Yes. AccuLynx has a robust commission tracking module that calculates payouts based on Gross Profit or Contract Value, deducting overhead and draws automatically. This is essential for keeping high-performing sales reps happy.
Sources
- AccuLynx Features & Pricing (Verified Jan 2026) – https://acculynx.com/
- JobNimbus Roofing Software (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.jobnimbus.com/
- Roofr Instant Estimates (Verified Jan 2026) – https://roofr.com/
- EagleView Technology (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.eagleview.com/
- CompanyCam (Verified Jan 2026) – https://companycam.com/