Inspections: The backbone of predictable revenue

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Helping contractors turn inspections from a cost center into a trusted entry point for service, maintenance and negotiated re-roof work. 

Inspections have often been treated as a necessary cost in commercial roofing, but FCS and Jobba are proving they can be a reliable driver of recurring revenue. During this CoatingsTalk™, Zach Carpenter, who has spent 17 years working with commercial roofing software, said he has noticed contractors move from once viewing inspections as an afterthought to now using them to build long-term service relationships. 

The obstacle, Zach explained, often comes down to process rather than intent. Many contractors still rely on fragmented systems that require significant effort with no guaranteed return, which can make inspections feel like a burden rather than a business opportunity. When documentation is inconsistent and follow-through varies, it becomes difficult for owners to measure the value of the work, and inspections are the first task to fall off the priority list when schedules tighten. 

FCS and Jobba counter that mindset by reframing inspections as a relationship-building tool rather than a transactional step. Zach described them as the “single best entry point of sales for the whole roofing company,” noting that they offer a lower-pressure opportunity to demonstrate expertise and earn trust before a client reaches a decision point on repairs or replacement. He cautioned that contractors who limit their involvement to quoting roof replacements without offering full assessments risk “literally leaving money on the roof,” because they miss the long-term opportunities that inspection programs create. 

To unlock those opportunities, Zach encourages contractors to transition from surface-level evaluations to comprehensive assessments that document current conditions, identify repairs and guide budgeting. He pointed to a recent example where an FCS contractor delivered a detailed 189-page inspection report to a hospital system. The level of detail impressed the client enough that it secured work on seven facilities, illustrating how thorough reporting can position a contractor as a trusted advisor rather than one of many bidders. 

That credibility only holds if the contractor maintains consistent processes. Zach advises companies to review their current inspection workflows, educate both internal teams and customers on the value of data-backed reporting and implement clear SOPs supported by technology. In his view, pairing disciplined procedures with the right platforms is the surest path to transforming inspections from overhead into a catalyst for sustainable revenue growth. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about transforming your inspection process into a predictable revenue engine!