Keeping people at the core of business

CCS Influencer Greg Serevetas says that AI should make us better, not replace us.

AI in construction and roofing can be a game-changer, but only if it’s used the right way. The key is enhancement, not replacement! AI should support skilled professionals, not take their place.

For example, we are looking into AI for estimating and bidding. It can help analyze past job costs and market trends to provide more accurate quotes, but at the end of the day, boots on the roof (technicians) make the final call. The same goes for roof inspections, drones with AI can scan a roof for damage, but a trained roofer still needs to verify and interpret that data. It’s about working smarter, not cutting corners.

Transparency is another big one. If we’re using AI to assist in safety checks or maintenance recommendations, we’re upfront with our team and clients about it. AI isn’t some magic black box, it’s a tool that makes us more accountable and more efficient, but it doesn’t replace expertise or trust.

AI also plays a role in safety and training. We can use it to analyze job site photos and flag potential hazards. A supervisor still reviews and confirms those findings. And when it comes to training new hires, AI simulations can help teach safety protocols before they ever step onto a roof. But again, AI assists, it doesn’t replace hands-on learning.

Customer service is another area where AI can help but shouldn’t replace the human touch. There are chatbots and automated scheduling AI that can speed things up, but when a client has a real concern, they don’t want to talk to a machine. They want a real person who understands their job, their needs and their concerns. So, make sure it improves communication and response times but never takes away personal service.

Ethically, we also must be mindful of data security and decision-making. AI can’t predict maintenance needs based on past repairs, but it can help organize and remind the team of past repairs that could use review, if you set parameters.  And when it comes to hiring, AI can help filter applicants, but no algorithm should ever make the final decision — people hire people.

At the end of the day, AI should make us better, not replace us. It’s about using technology to do what we do faster, smarter and safer while keeping people at the core of our business.