How to Retain Your Best Techs Long-Term

Most roofing owners think turnover is just part of the game.

“Good guys are hard to find.”

“No one wants to work anymore.”

“Everyone just wants more money.”

Maybe.

But here’s the truth I’ve seen play out again and again:

The best techs don’t leave because of money.

They leave because the system lacks structure for them to succeed.

Here’s what I mean:

I’ve worked with dozens of companies, from $1M startups to $50M regional contractors, and when we dig into tech retention, it usually comes down to 3 things:

1. Lack of Clear Expectations

Most techs are handed a van, a tablet, and a bunch of open tickets… and expected to just figure it out.

What they really need is clarity…

• What does a great day actually look like?

• What’s the standard process for documenting a leak?

• How do I get recognized for doing things right?

If expectations change every week (or only live in your head) then employee churn is more likely.

2. No Defined Career Path

The smartest techs don’t want to just fix leaks for 20 years.

They want to grow.

And if they don’t see a clear way to:

• Earn more

• Gain responsibility

• Move up inside the company

They’ll find another company to work for.

3. Poor Communication from the Office

This one breaks companies.

The field blames the office. The office blames the field. 

Meanwhile the tech is stuck in the middle - chasing details, asking the same questions, or showing up unprepared.

It’s not that he doesn’t care.

It’s that the process creates stress he can’t control.

Want to keep great techs?

You don’t need ping-pong tables or bonuses.

You need:

• A clear onboarding plan

• Weekly feedback + recognition

• SOPs that actually work in the field

• And a path to earn, grow, and lead

At Service Alignment, we’ve helped companies cut turnover in half by fixing these basics.

Not with HR manuals.

With real field-tested systems that make service techs say:

“This place actually has their stuff together.”

If the best guys keep leaving, it’s probably not them.

It’s a product of the system they inherited.

Fix that, and you build a service division that grows without constant hiring headaches.

Ready to take the first step to retain techs long term?

Download the free 7-Step Service Checklist

This simple, step-by-step guide gives your techs a clear process to follow - one that drives upsells, repeat work, and client satisfaction.

Let’s build your next level,

Chad Westbrook

Service Alignment