Lessons in Finding the Right Roofer

This program is very personal to me, and my journey with Legg-Perthes disease, a condition that affects how blood flows to the hip joint. I was just a child when I was diagnosed, and for a long time, I had to wear ugly brown orthopedic shoes. While the other kids were rocking really cool sneakers, I was made fun of for my shoes and the leg brace I had to wear. I just wanted to have cool sneakers like everyone else.

That experience stuck with me, and right around the time that I was finally able to stop wearing the orthopedic shoes, Nike Air and Air Jordans came out, and that’s when my sneaker obsession began.

I knew what it felt like to be made fun of, and when I was thinking of ways I could give back to the community, it inspired me to start Kicks 4 Kids.

How the Program Works

For every roofing project we finish in the Green Bay or Fox Cities area, we donate one pair of sneakers to a child 16 years or younger – it’s that simple. The more roofs we install, the more kids we get to help. We typically complete between 200 and 300 roofs each year, which means that we have the opportunity to donate that many pairs of sneakers each year. Our goal is to be able to give away 500 pairs of sneakers a year. We’re always looking for more nominations and getting the word out about our program so we can help more deserving kids.

The roofing industry isn’t hard to get into, but growing a successful, trusted business is a different thing entirely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 95% of contracting businesses fail within the first five years, including roofers.

A few weeks back, our president, Anthony Walsh, joined Megan Ellsworth of the Stories from the Roof podcast to talk about what it actually takes to be successful in this industry long-term. Spoiler alert: it’s all about customer service and integrity.

For Anthony, it was his early experiences with customers that inspired him to build our core values: dependable, integrity, growth, and service. He not only helped homeowners with a new roof but also provided guidance when they didn’t know which roofing material to use after their old roof was destroyed by a hailstorm, and provided support when their insurance was fighting their claims. Our whole team takes great pride in every aspect of our customer service, and in the trust our customers place in us.

The growth part of our values is about our team, and it was an aspect of the business that Anthony didn’t undervalue or ignore. Growing it in the right direction, always teaching each other so we’re all better, holding each other accountable – it all helps us provide better service to our customers. A rising tide lifts all boats.

A lot of roofing companies fail because they lack integrity, but it’s what sets us apart. At DuraShield, we say what we mean and mean what we say. For all of us, seeing the relief and happiness on homeowners’ faces when their roofs are finished, and the work was done right, is what keeps us all motivated and drives us to do even better over the next 20+ years.

Our Advice to Homeowners: How to Choose the Right Roofing Contractor

If you’re a homeowner looking for a roofing contractor that you can trust, here are some things you should consider:

• Look at their values. At DuraShield, we live by our core values: dependable, integrity, growth, and service; we put the customer first. We provide free roof inspections and estimates, talk you through our roofing process, from start to finish, and answer all the questions you have. If a roofer isn’t giving you cost or timeline estimates, or takes a long time to return your calls, it could be a reflection of what it’s like to work with them.

• Pay attention to how they talk about quality. A roof is one of the smartest investments you can make, especially when you use high-quality materials that will last a lifetime and may even help with insurance or resale value. We offer premium synthetic roofing options, such as DaVinci and Brava, that are incredibly durable and have long lifespans. If a roofer is only offering you low-priced or low-quality materials, it can be a red flag.

• Ask about their experiences with your specific needs. Work with a roofer who has a lot of experience with the issue you’re having. If you’re dealing with hail or storm damage, which we see plenty of in Wisconsin and Illinois, or a leaking roof, you want a team like ours that knows how to handle it and deal with any surprises.

Our values aren’t just words we put up on a wall; they’re how we’ve operated since day one. If you think you need a roof replacement or repair, we can help. We offer free roof inspections and estimates.

If you want to hear Anthony’s full conversation, listen to the full Stories from the Roof episode.