THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN 8 ONTARIO ROOFING NEWS – ISSUE 2 2026 A rtificial intelligence and rapidly advancing technology are becoming a growing part of everyday life, and the construction industry is no exception. From estimating software and drones to AI-generated documentation and automated reporting, the way contractors operate continues to evolve. While some industries are debating how much technology may eventually replace certain roles, roofing remains a trade that will continue to depend heavily on skilled people, practical experience and sound judgement. The roofing industry has always adapted to new technology. Over the years we have seen major advancements in roof systems, equipment, safety standards, moisture detection, project management software and com- munication tools. What once took hours of paperwork can now often be completed digitally from a phone or tablet directly on the jobsite. Artificial intelligence is simply the next stage of that evolution, and like many advance- ments before it, it will likely become another tool contractors use to improve efficiency and operations. One of the areas where AI is already making an impact is within office operations and administration. Contractors today are managing a constant flow of emails, scheduling, meeting minutes, safety documentation, reports and communication demands. AI tools are beginning to help companies organize information faster, draft documents more efficiently, summarize meetings, assist with estimating and reduce repetitive administrative work. Technology may not replace office staff anytime soon, but it certainly has the potential to supercharge them and significantly increase output when used properly. For many companies, this could allow staff to spend more time focusing on operations, customer service and project management instead of paperwork. At the same time, technology cannot replace field experience. Roofing projects continue to require practical decision-making that can only come from years of working on jobsites. Weather changes, material delays, se- quencing challenges, manpower coordination and unexpected site condi- tions all require people who understand how construction operates in the real world. An experienced foreman or superintendent can often identify issues before they become major problems simply because they have encoun- tered similar situations many times before. That type of judgement cannot be easily replicated. Leadership, communication and accountability continue to play a major role in whether projects succeed or struggle. Strong foremen and supervisors are responsible for keeping crews organized, maintaining production, man- aging safety, coordinating with other trades and solving problems quickly when conditions change. While technology can provide information and im- Technology Will Not Replace Experience prove communication, it cannot replace leadership on a jobsite or the ability to manage people and personalities under pressure. As technology becomes more common, mentorship within the industry may become even more important. Younger workers entering the trade will likely be more comfortable using digital tools and AI-assisted systems, but they still need experienced tradespeople to teach workmanship, leadership and practical roofing knowledge. Roofing systems continue to require atten- tion to detail and an understanding of how materials perform in real-world conditions over time. The next generation will benefit most when technol- ogy and experience work together rather than compete against each other. There is also significant potential for technology to make tradespeople more effective in the field. One of the biggest opportunities may be reducing the administrative burden placed on foremen and superintendents. Daily re- ports, site documentation, production tracking and progress updates often take valuable time away from managing work on site. AI-assisted tools may help simplify many of these tasks through voice-to-text reporting, automated summaries, photo organization and streamlined communication between the field and office. Instead of spending additional hours at the end of the day completing paperwork, site leaders may eventually be able to generate accurate reports simply by speaking into a device while walking the project. We are also beginning to see the early stages of technology that could become common on jobsites in the future. AI-supported smart glasses, for example, may allow technicians and supervisors to access information hands- free while on site. Video and speech-based reporting systems may help gener- ate production reports, site visit summaries, safety observations and project progress updates automatically from real-time field activity. While these tools are still developing, the direction of the industry is becoming increasingly clear. Technology will continue advancing and become more integrated into daily operations. However, even as these tools improve, experience will continue to define professional roofing contractors. Technology can assist with communica- tion, organization and efficiency, but it cannot replace workmanship, judge- ment, leadership and accountability. Successful roofing companies will likely be the ones that embrace useful technology while continuing to invest heav- ily in training, mentorship and skilled people. The roofing industry has always been built on experience passed down from one generation to the next. That foundation will remain just as impor- tant moving forward. Technology will continue to evolve, but the value of experienced tradespeople, strong foremen and professional contractors will remain at the core of our industry for many years to come. Chair’s Message OIRCA Board of Directors Ontario Roofing News is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an enclosure, we use an environmentally- friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap. ONTARIO ROOFING NEWS is a “market- ing and information periodical” published for the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association by MediaEdge Publishing. Advertising in ONTARIO ROOFING NEWS is restricted to the member companies of OIRCA. Published for: Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association 190 Attwell Drive, Suite 350 Toronto, ON l M9W 6H8 Tel: (416) 695-4114 l Toll Free: 1 (888) 33-OIRCA oirca@ontarioroofing.com www.ontarioroofing.com Published by: 33 South Station St. l North York, ON l M9N 2B2 Tel: (866) 480-4717 l Email: robertt@mediaedge.ca 531 Marion St. l Winnipeg, MB l R2J 0J9 Tel: (866) 201-3096 l Fax: (204) 480-4420 www.mediaedgepublishing.com President Kevin Brown Senior Vice President l Publisher Robert Thompson Sales / Branch Manager Nancie Privé Senior Editor Justyne Essery Senior Design Specialist Marisa Giesbrecht Design Specialist Bethany Giesbrecht National Sales Executive Pat Johnston All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior consent of the publisher. Published July 2026 Publication Agreement #40787580 Chair of the Board Mike Godfrey Godfrey Roofing Inc. Past President Jason Campbell Dean Chandler Roofing Ltd. First Vice Chair Mark Mollison Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. Second Vice Chair Ryan Warner Covertite Eastern Ltd. Director Joel Dandelé Dantech Building Technologies Inc. Director Marinos Barlas Schreiber Brothers Ltd. Director Mark Agius Flynn Canada Director David Rauth Rauth Roofing Limited Director Doug Maikawa Trio Roofing Systems Inc. Director Darcy Beites Douro Roofing Sheet Metal Contractors Ltd. Director Joe DiBratto Applewood Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. Director Mary Smith Soprema Inc. Please return undeliverable copies to: 190 Attwell Drive, Suite 350, Toronto, ON M9W 6H8 By Mike Godfrey, Chair of the Board, OIRCA
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