A game-changer for metal roofing bids

By Jesse Sanchez 

Industry leaders team up to simplify the bidding process for metal roofing contractors.   

In this episode of MetalCast™, host Karen Edwards sat down with the CEO of SmartBuild Systems Keith Dietzen to discuss the innovative partnership between Sherwin-Williams and SmartBuild Systems. Keith shares how SmartBuild's advanced software is streamlining the metal roofing industry, particularly through its role in Sherwin-Williams’ Roofing Passport program. 

Keith, with a rich background in software development dating back to 1975, founded SmartBuild to automate complex tasks within the construction industry. Originally focusing on the post-frame market, SmartBuild’s technology caught the attention of Sherwin-Williams, which led  to a collaboration that has made significant strides in the metal roofing sector. 

The Roofing Passport program, which is part of MetalVue, is designed to address a critical challenge in the metal roofing industry: the complexity of accurate bidding. Unlike the asphalt shingle market, where bids can be quickly generated based on roof geometry, metal roofing requires detailed precision to account for varying panel lengths, trim pieces and numerous other components. Keith explained, “With metal roofing, of course, it's much more involved. First, there's more precision required in figuring the metal panels and trim pieces.” 

To overcome this, SmartBuild’s software leverages data from EagleView, a leader in roof geometry data. By simply inputting a street address, contractors can generate precise 3D models of roofs, enabling automated and accurate bids in mere minutes. As Keith put it, “The interesting thing about the Roofing Passport is it's almost entirely an automated process, your total workload... you're talking about maybe 120 seconds worth of work.” 

Beyond just measurements, SmartBuild also offers customizable outputs, from detailed proposals to shop drawings tailored for installers. Keith expressed, “We help our customers lay out the complete format and the pieces of information they want to create... you can pretty well generate just about any report that you like.” 

Perhaps the most enticing element is the program’s cost efficiency. Keith revealed that contractors who already use EagleView can access Roofing Passport at no additional cost, making the decision to switch a “no-brainer.” As he put it, “The news that's too good to be true is when they sign up for Roofing Passport, now they get all the added benefits that SmartBuild brings, and they pay nothing for it.” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the interview to learn more about how SmartBuild and Sherwin-Williams are revolutionizing the metal roof bid process!