In the roofing industry, production management is the backbone of profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. A well-run production department ensures that jobs are completed on time, on budget, and with the highest quality standards. However, without a structured approach, contractors often struggle with delays, miscommunication, cost overruns, and dissatisfied customers.
At Certified Contractors Network (CCN), we teach a proven framework for contractors to streamline their operations, prevent costly mistakes, and optimize job execution. By following structured best practices, contractors can increase efficiency, improve profitability, and enhance the overall customer experience.
The Foundation of Effective Production Management
Production management starts with a clear and structured system that aligns sales, operations, and field teams. Many contractors face inefficiencies due to poor communication, lack of defined processes, and failure to set proper expectations with customers and crews. To prevent these issues, contractors must implement systems that create accountability, improve scheduling accuracy, and ensure all teams are working toward the same goal.
One of the key aspects of production success is pre-construction planning. Every project should start with a detailed pre-construction meeting that includes sales, production, and any subcontractors involved. This meeting should cover job specifications, materials, scheduling, and potential obstacles. When teams are aligned before the job begins, it reduces errors, prevents rework, and eliminates costly delays.
Scheduling for Profitability and Efficiency
Scheduling is one of the most critical elements of production management, yet it is one of the most overlooked. Poor scheduling leads to bottlenecks, production slowdowns, and frustrated customers. To create an efficient production schedule, contractors must balance crew availability, material lead times, job complexity, and weather conditions.
The best contractors use dynamic scheduling systems that allow for real-time adjustments. Production managers should monitor progress daily, track project milestones, and communicate with crews to ensure jobs remain on schedule. If unexpected delays occur, it’s essential to proactively update customers and adjust workflows to minimize disruptions.
Firewalls to prevent mistakes play a crucial role in scheduling efficiency. These safeguards ensure that jobs are set up correctly before crews arrive. For example, confirming that permits, materials, and jobsite conditions are ready prevents costly downtime. Production managers should implement checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to verify that everything is in place before work begins.
Ensuring Quality Control and Customer Satisfaction
Maintaining high-quality standards in production is essential for both customer satisfaction and long-term business success. Contractors who consistently deliver high-quality work earn strong referrals, repeat customers, and positive online reviews. However, maintaining quality requires structured processes and accountability at every stage of production.
One of the most effective strategies for quality control is mid-job inspections. Rather than waiting until the project is complete, production managers should conduct on-site visits during key project phases to verify workmanship, ensure compliance with building codes, and address potential issues before they become costly problems.
Customer communication is another critical component of quality control. Many production issues arise because customers feel uninformed or misled about the progress of their project. Regular updates—whether through phone calls, emails, or site meetings—help build trust and keep homeowners engaged throughout the process. Production managers should set expectations early and provide clear timelines, cost breakdowns, and contingency plans.
Managing Additional Work Orders (AWOs) and Preventing Cost Overruns
One of the biggest challenges contractors face in production is managing additional work orders (AWOs). Changes to the scope of work can lead to profit loss, project delays, and customer disputes if not handled properly.
The best practice for AWOs is to document and price any job changes immediately. Contractors should never allow work to proceed without written approval from the customer. By implementing a structured change order process, production teams can ensure that all additional work is accounted for, billed properly, and completed without unnecessary disruptions.
To prevent cost overruns, production managers must also track labor, materials, and job costs in real time. Many contractors don’t realize they are losing money on a job until it’s too late. By reviewing job costing reports and adjusting workflows accordingly, contractors can protect their profit margins and improve overall efficiency.
Building a Strong Production Team and Subcontractor Network
A production department is only as strong as the team executing the work. Skilled and motivated crews lead to higher-quality work, faster completion times, and happier customers. However, many contractors struggle with hiring, training, and retaining top talent in their production teams.
The best contractors invest in ongoing training for their crews and subcontractors. At CCN, production management training is one of our most popular courses for good reason. Providing clear expectations, consistent feedback, and opportunities for skill development ensures that teams perform at their best. Contractors should also implement performance tracking systems to measure efficiency, workmanship, and adherence to schedules.
Subcontractor relationships are just as important. Many home improvement businesses rely on subcontractors for labor, but without a structured approach, this can lead to inconsistent work quality and scheduling issues. Production managers should develop long-term partnerships with reliable subcontractors, establish clear expectations for work standards, and use contract agreements to ensure accountability. Remember, your subcontractors can “make or break” your brand and reputation, so accountability is critically8 important.
Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Improvement
The most successful contractors don’t just fix problems—they prevent them before they happen. Implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) principles allows production teams to create a continuous improvement culture where processes are refined, inefficiencies are eliminated, and performance is consistently optimized.
TQM involves gathering feedback from customers, employees, and subcontractors to identify areas for improvement. Post-job evaluations, customer satisfaction surveys, and internal debrief meetings help pinpoint bottlenecks, recurring issues, and opportunities for innovation.
By regularly analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle time, job completion rate, profit margins, and customer satisfaction scores, contractors can make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and profitability.
The Path to Scalable and Sustainable Growth
For contractors looking to scale their businesses, strong production management is the key to long-term success. A company that operates with predictability, efficiency, and quality control can take on more projects, increase revenue, and improve customer satisfaction without sacrificing profitability.
By implementing structured systems, improving scheduling efficiency, maintaining quality control, managing AWOs effectively, and building a strong production team, contractors can turn production into a competitive advantage rather than a daily struggle.
At CCN, we teach contractors how to run a smooth, profitable production department using proven strategies, real-world case studies, and industry best practices. Those who follow these principles see fewer delays, higher profits, and stronger customer relationships—leading to a more scalable, stress-free business.
Final Thoughts
Production management is not just about getting jobs done—it’s about getting them done efficiently, profitably, and with the highest level of quality. The best contractors don’t leave production to chance—they implement systems that create accountability, streamline workflows, and drive customer satisfaction.
By following proven processes and best practices, contractors can eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costly mistakes, and build a production machine that runs smoothly and profitably. Whether you’re a small business looking to scale or an established contractor seeking to improve operations, mastering production management is the key to long-term success.
For those ready to take control of their production department and optimize every aspect of job execution, now is the time to start implementing these best practices. Your business—and your bottom line—will thank you.
Gary A. Cohen is Executive Vice President of Certified Contractors Network (CCN), North America’s leading training, coaching, and networking organization for home improvement contractors. With over 30 years of industry experience and a background in business education, Gary specializes in helping contractors achieve scalable growth through proven systems and processes. He can be reached at gary@contractors.net.
