ServiceTitan Report Finds 75% of Roofing and Exteriors Contractors Expect Revenue Growth in 2026 Despite Tighter Margins

Core Insights - The 2026 Roofing & Exterior Market Report indicates that 75% of contractors expect revenue growth in 2026, with 74% anticipating higher profits, yet one-third report EBITDA margins between 6% and 15%, highlighting the need for efficiency improvements [1][4] - Despite recognizing the importance of AI, 79% of contractors are not utilizing AI or external large language models (LLMs), indicating a significant opportunity for productivity enhancement [1][3] Industry Challenges - Persistent cost inflation and labor constraints are major challenges for contractors, with 39% citing rising labor and overhead costs as primary threats, and 34% facing skilled labor shortages [2][4] - 60% of contractors are focusing on optimizing labor costs, 45% on material costs, and 41% on marketing efficiency to combat these challenges [4] Competitive Landscape - Differentiation is crucial, with the top three competitive advantages identified as reputation (59%), transparent communication (47%), and exceptional customer service (43%) [5] - Speed and professionalism are becoming essential in customer service, yet only 16% of contractors follow up with homeowners the same day for unsold estimates, indicating a technology gap [6] Technology Adoption - Contractors are prioritizing technology investments that enhance efficiency, with the top decision drivers being robust production features (47%), ease of use (29%), and workflow configurability (24%) [7] - There is a notable underutilization of AI, with only 4% using AI features in their CRM and 25% using external LLM tools, presenting a significant opportunity for improvement [3][10] Growth Opportunities - Contractors see the biggest opportunities in customization (40%), expanding into new trades (36%), and digital transformation (34%), indicating a shift towards personalized offerings and tech-forward business models [8] - Insurance work remains a significant but challenging aspect of the roofing industry, with 40% of contractors involved, facing issues like claims complexity (47%) and adjuster delays (36%) [9]