A practical guide / Roofing
How can roofing companies use AI?
Use AI to sort survey notes, draft a quote from your measured scope and prepare a condition report with photo references. It can also help the office update clients when the programme changes.
Begin with one surveyed roof. Give each roof area a clear name and keep the surveyor’s findings, proposed work and price allowances connected. The result should help the client understand the work and help your crew find the same locations.
Prepare a roofing reportConnect roof observations, photographs and priced work.
Describe the roof by area and finding
Record the building, survey date and inspection method. Add each roof area, finding and photo. Include the surveyor’s advice and any further inspection needed. Keep their own wording for the areas viewed and limits of the inspection.
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Name locations in the same way across the records: rear slope, front gutter, east abutment or rooflight R2. Use those names in photos, quote lines and the crew brief. Ask AI to start the report with an overview, then cover each area.
Keep findings and proposed repairs in separate fields. This connects the surveyor’s finding to the priced work. Put any question needing another visit in the follow-up list. Add who will resolve it and when.
Build a quote the client can follow
Draft the scope using preparation and access, repairs by area, supplies, waste removal and completion. Supply measured quantities, supplier prices and your labour allowances. Add the survey photo reference beside each main repair item.
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Show optional work separately and explain the choice in plain language. Where the survey calls for opening up, use the estimator’s approved allowance and wording for agreeing further work. Keep the pricing basis with the internal estimate.
Prepare a covering message naming the roof areas included and the next step needed to book. If the client asks for a revision, compare the two versions and list what changed in scope and price. Keep the accepted version with the job record.
Worked example
A photo-led condition report for one repair
Example with made-up details: the surveyor records displaced tiles on the rear slope in photo R03 and debris in the rear gutter in photo R04. The approved scope covers local tile repairs and clearing that gutter.
The report uses four headings: Location: rear slope and rear gutter. Findings: surveyor’s noted findings, with R03 and R04 beside them. Proposed work: local repairs and gutter clearance. Further details: survey date, inspection method and the surveyor’s noted limits.
The quote then uses matching lines: rear slope local tile repairs, linked to R03; rear gutter clearance, linked to R04. The client can follow the proposal from photo to work item. The crew brief uses the same labels when the job is booked.
Illustrative example.
Survey
Name each area and link the photograph.
Proposal
Carry the approved repair into the quote.
Programme
Update the diary and customer arrangements.
Plan the programme with room to move
Create a programme with the proposed start, time needed and key stages. Add materials delivery and access plans. Record which tasks depend on the weather and when the site lead will review them. Ask AI to prepare a client view.
Keep draft messages for a confirmed start, a change and the end of work. When the date moves, state the new plan and what the office has arranged. Tell the client when they will hear from you again.
List the jobs ready to book, with materials and access status visible. When the site lead changes the programme, the office can see who needs an update. Refresh the diary as each client agrees the new plan.
Site decisions belong with the competent roofing team
HSE’s roof work guidance covers planning and managing roof work. Its fragile surfaces guidance says to treat roofs as fragile until a competent person confirms otherwise. The competent team chooses how to inspect the site. They also decide access and controls for the work.
HSE’s work-at-height guidance covers poor weather such as rain, ice, frost and strong winds. The site lead decides whether work can proceed. Use AI to update the approved programme and draft the client message after that decision.
The surveyor confirms findings and repair advice. Keep photos with their location and survey context. Store client and property records in the approved job system. Give access to the staff preparing and doing the work.
Read the source: HSE: health and safety in roof work; HSE: fragile surfaces; HSE: work at height and weather
Try a practical task
Draft the report, quote outline and programme update
Use these instructions with a roof survey and the agreed repair scope.
Try this in your AI app
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini
CodexUsing Gemini? The button copies the prompt. Paste it into the new chat.
Prepare a roofing condition report from these survey notes: [notes]. Use the named areas and photo references supplied. Follow the surveyor’s noted findings and recommendations, with inspection method and limits in the opening details.
Turn this approved repair scope [scope] into a quote outline. Connect each work item to its roof area and photo. Apply these quantities, rates and allowance terms: [inputs].
Finally, draft a client update from this site lead’s programme decision: [decision and dates]. State the next planned action and when we will confirm plans. Put internal access or material questions in a separate office list.
Questions about this task
What should we collect at the survey?
Record the roof area, inspection method, finding and photo reference, then add the surveyor’s recommendation. Consistent area names help connect the report, estimate and eventual crew brief.
Can AI help when the weather changes the diary?
Use the site lead’s decision and revised dates to draft updates and arrange the office action list. Include supplies, access and client contact so the revised programme is practical to deliver.