By: Robert Sterling – SeaPRwire – Most people assume the highest risk in commercial roofing begins when crews start installing materials. That assumption misses a critical detail. The danger often starts much earlier, when estimators climb onto rooftops simply to prepare a bid. Estimating Edge has chosen to shine a light on this overlooked stage with a new educational resource, and it addresses a problem the industry has lived with for years rather than introducing another software feature.
The facts behind the discussion deserve attention. According to the information released by Estimating Edge, roofing ranked as the third deadliest occupation in the United States, with falls responsible for 82% of industry fatalities in 2023, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The company’s new article, How to Stay Safe When Estimating Roofs, argues that many of these risks begin long before construction crews arrive. Every pre-bid roof inspection carries the same fall hazards and the same OSHA responsibilities under 29 CFR 1926.501 as active roofing work. The practical alternative is aerial measurement technology, which allows pitch, dimensions and total roof surface area to be captured remotely instead of requiring repeated rooftop visits.
The business message behind this publication is equally clear. Contractors have spent years investing in better safety equipment for field crews, yet the estimating process has often remained dependent on manual site inspections. Estimating Edge is making the case that digital measurement should become the standard starting point instead of the exception. The company also points to the integration between The EDGE and EagleView, allowing aerial measurement data to flow directly into trade-specific estimates. That reduces duplicate work, shortens bid turnaround times and helps contractors maintain compliance with OSHA requirements during the bidding stage without compromising estimating accuracy.
This release is less about software promotion than about changing operational habits. Every unnecessary rooftop visit avoided removes one more opportunity for a preventable accident. Faster estimates are valuable, but lowering exposure before construction even starts may prove to be the larger competitive advantage. Companies that treat estimator safety as part of project planning, rather than as a field-only responsibility, are likely to build stronger operations over time.
Author bio: Robert Sterling, a veteran business strategist and industrial investor with decades of experience analyzing construction technology, operational efficiency and long-term market competitiveness.