How to Get More Roofing Clients in New Orleans

Why New Orleans Roofing is a Different Beast

If you're running a roofing business here, you know the drill: feast or famine, driven by hurricane season and hailstorms. But relying solely on disaster response is a volatile business model. The real growth comes from capturing the steady demand for repairs, replacements, and preventative maintenance across our unique housing stock—from historic shotguns in Bywater to new builds in Algiers. Your competition isn't just the other local crews; it's the big national chains with massive ad budgets and the unlicensed handymen undercutting prices on Facebook. To win, you need a hyper-local strategy that builds trust before the storm clouds gather.

Master Your Local Online Presence (Beyond Google)

Yes, you need a Google Business Profile. But in New Orleans, that's just the entry ticket. Your profile must be packed with photos of your work on slate roofs in the Garden District, clay tiles in Lakeview, and metal roofs on raised cottages in Gentilly. Use the posts feature to announce "Spring Gutter Clean-Up Specials" or "Pre-Hurricane Season Inspections."

More importantly, you must dominate local review sites where New Orleanians actually ask for referrals. NextDoor is king in neighborhoods like Uptown and Mid-City. Be proactive. After a job, send a simple text link asking for a review there. Also, ensure your business is claimed and updated on Poyst, where locals search for trusted home services. A complete profile with before/after photos and verified reviews makes you a top contender when someone searches "roofer near me."

Differentiate from the Competition with a Niche

"We do all types of roofing" makes you a commodity. Specialization makes you the expert. Analyze your strengths and the local market gaps.

• Historic Home Specialist: Market yourself as the expert in delicate repairs for 100+ year-old homes in the French Quarter and Marigny. Understand Vieux Carré Commission guidelines and use materials that match historic standards.
• Insurance Claim Navigator: The #1 stressor for homeowners after storm damage is dealing with insurance. Offer a "Claims Advocate" service. You handle the paperwork, meetings with adjusters, and fight for a fair settlement. This is a massive value-add in storm-prone areas like New Orleans East and the Westbank.
• Sustainable Roofing for Modern Renovations: Target homeowners in areas like Broadmoor and Bayou St. John who are renovating. Offer cool-roof coatings, solar-ready installations, and superior insulation to combat our brutal heat and humidity, lowering energy bills.

Pricing Strategy for the New Orleans Market

Undercutting on price attracts the worst clients and kills your profit. Price for value and communicate it clearly.

• Tiered Service Packages: Don't just give one quote. Offer a Good/Better/Best option. Example: 1) Basic repair. 2) Repair with upgraded, hurricane-rated underlayment. 3) Full section replacement with best-in-class materials and a longer warranty. This educates the client and upsells value.
• Factor in the "New Orleans Premium": Parking challenges, historic district regulations, and the sheer complexity of our roof lines (dormers, turrets, etc.) justify higher labor costs. Itemize this in your estimates so clients understand they're paying for expertise, not just shingles.
• Offer Financing: A $15,000 roof replacement is a major decision. Partner with a reputable financing company to offer low or no-interest plans. This removes the biggest barrier to closing the deal, especially for younger homeowners in transitioning neighborhoods.

Build a Referral Engine That Never Stops

In a city that runs on word-of-mouth, your happiest clients are your best salespeople. Stop hoping for referrals and systematize them.

1. The 30-Day Follow-Up: One month after job completion, call the homeowner. Ask if they're happy, if they've noticed any issues (this shows care), and then say: "We're trying to grow by helping great people like you. Do you know two neighbors who might also be thinking about their roof?"
2. Partner with Local Pros: Build reciprocal relationships with respected general contractors, historic preservation specialists, and insurance agents in your service areas. Send them a branded thank you gift and a stack of your cards. They'll send you leads.
3. Leverage Local Platforms: Make it easy for past clients to recommend you digitally. Ask them to recommend you on Poyst, where their recommendation directly influences their neighbors' hiring decisions.

Your Action Plan for This Week

Growth doesn't happen by accident. Pick three of these tasks and execute them in the next seven days.

• Rewrite your Google Business Profile description to highlight your local niche (e.g., "Historic Roof Repair Specialists in Uptown New Orleans").
• Create a "Pre-Hurricane Season Inspection" checklist and offer it as a $99 special. Promote it on NextDoor and Facebook groups for your top 3 neighborhoods.
• Call your five best clients from last year. Check in on their roof and ask for the two neighbor referrals.
• Film a 60-second video on your phone explaining one common roof issue in New Orleans (like moss growth on north-facing slopes). Post it on social media and your website.
• Most importantly, claim and optimize your free listing on local discovery platforms. If you're not easily found where locals are looking, you're missing jobs. Take 10 minutes today to list your roofing business on Poyst, complete with photos, services, and service areas. It's one of the simplest ways to get in front of qualified New Orleans homeowners actively searching for your expertise.