"Maybe it's about finding that sweet spot between experience and tech?"
Yeah, that's exactly it. I've been roofing for over 20 years, and while I'm usually the first to roll my eyes at flashy gadgets, there've been times when they've genuinely saved our hides. Had a job last summer where the homeowner insisted on some complicated skylight setup—measurements were a nightmare. Borrowed a buddy's digital angle finder (fancy little thing), and it nailed the angles perfectly. Experience is king, sure, but sometimes tech can be your ace in the hole...
I get your point about tech being handy, but honestly, I've seen situations where relying too heavily on gadgets can backfire. Had an inspection last month where the contractor used some high-end laser measuring tool for framing. Looked great on paper, but they missed subtle irregularities in the foundation that a seasoned eye would've caught immediately. Tech's helpful, sure, but it's no substitute for hands-on experience and intuition...sometimes old-school methods just catch things tech can't.
Had a similar experience on a roofing job last summer. Crew brought in drones for inspections—impressive tech, but they completely overlooked some subtle flashing issues around the chimney. Sometimes nothing beats climbing up there yourself and trusting your gut...
