Roofing leads usually come from something the homeowner can see: a stain on the ceiling, shingles in the yard after a windstorm, granules in the gutters, or an inspector's note during a home sale. Some are planning ahead because the roof is old and they want a replacement before it fails. Storm and leak requests carry urgency; planned replacements give you more time but more competition.
What they want is someone who shows up, looks at the roof and gives a clear price and timeline. Many will call the first two or three contractors who respond. On storm jobs they also want help understanding the insurance process. The contractor who answers fast and books an inspection the same week usually gets the first look at the job.
Only an owner can authorize a roof replacement or an insurance claim, so use the homeowner filter and confirm it on the call. Landlords and property managers can be good customers; tenants reporting a leak are not. Material, timeline and claim status tell you which crew to send and how soon to schedule.