The Successful Contractor

Company’s Growth Makes Contractor a Happy Camper

Chris Arrington used to do a lot of residential repair work for free. Arrington, who owns Arrington Roofing Company in Dallas along with his wife, Janni Arrington, thought he was doing his customers a favor, but he was uneasy about it. After adjusting his pricing and getting a handle on the numbers, he has seen the residential side of the business flourish, and his business has increased by at least 20 percent each of the last three years.

Educating Dwayne Lee

Like a lot of young men, Dwayne Lee thought he had it all figured out. “When I was 16 years old, I knew everything there was to know, so I quit school, got out the phone book, and called everyone in construction, looking for a job.” He was offered a job in roofing in his hometown of Elon, N.C., but he found he hated working for someone else. “I had a problem with authority figures,” he said. “No one was going to tell me what to do. So, I quit and started my own business — Dwayne Lee’s Roofing Company.”

If I Hadn’t Jumped on Board ... I Would Be Bankrupt By Now

Jared M. Dean, owner of Superior’s Rhino Roofing Systems in Warrenton, Va., has been in the business since he was a 12-year-old. He worked hard. Still, building a successful roofing business wasn’t as easy as simply working hard — if that is all it took, every roofing company would be successful.

by Maya Dollarhide

SUCCESS STORY: Hyperaggressive Roofer Puts Service Business First

Aaron Santas knows, as do all parents, that trying to figure out the difference between quality time and quantity time is a heart-wrenching affair. But starting up a new roofing business often takes many hours — and many hours away from one’s family life.

by Chris King

Advice To Potential Franchisees

Before Paul Gavic signed on to The Benjamin Franklin Plumbing system, his company in Minneapolis had no identity. “I had been running around with unmarked white trucks because I could never find a logo or an identity I really liked,” he explained. “I didn’t want to put something like ‘Joe’s Plumbing’ on the side of the truck in big black letters. It had to be cool looking, it had to be something that would catch somebody’s eye. And that’s what I found at Ben Franklin — an identity.”

Hiring the Right Employee

Brian Leech believes that hiring is the most important part of running a successful business. Service Legends of Des Moines, Iowa receives about 100 applicants each month. For every 113 candidates that apply, the company hires one.

Taking Care of Customers

Asked what makes his company successful, Steve Andersen of Centennial Roofing points to the basics: customer service and quality workmanship. “It’s the whole package — the warranties, the customer experience,” he said. “It’s how we answer the phone, follow up, production — putting the roof on. We make it a pleasant experience from beginning to end.”