You’ve probably grown up hearing the saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” But, what about taking preventative measures? Floridians know better than anyone that preventative measures are often necessary; we apply sunscreen to our skin and spend months preparing for hurricanes that may never come.
If you’re a homeowner, you should also consider taking preventative measures when it comes to the roof over your head. Many people wait until their roof is leaking to make any kind of change. However, roof repair and replacement can change the appearance of your home and provide safety you may not have realized you were missing. So, if you’re reading this and are thinking it may be time to get a new roof, G&G Roofing Inc. can be the team to help.
Ray Smith, founder and owner of G&G Roofing, started the business with his wife, Kristy in 2002. “We took it, and we ran with it,” Smith said about his dream of starting a business. “We never quit running.” The company offers residential, commercial and industrial roof services.
Smith said a typical roof is due for repair after 20 years, and warning signs can vary based on the weather a roof experiences. In Florida, we experience many thunderstorms, hurricanes and more recently, hailstorms. Leaks are an obvious warning sign that roof repairs are necessary and are the most common reason homeowners look into replacing a roof, though, the roof could have been updated years prior. In addition to leaks, there can be granule loss, rocks coming off shingle roofs and other signs of breakage. So, if you are encountering any of these problems, or think your roof is coming up on its lifespan, it’s time to call in an expert.
Smith said when hiring a roofing company, you should check if they are licensed and insured, and should do general research to see what their reputation is. “Reputation is always best, especially today with the internet, social media, reviews, Angie’s List [and] Google,” Smith said. “There’s so much stuff on there.” Smith said prior to that you would just have to ask around from friends for recommendations. Now, you can do your own research and find your best fit.
When talking about his company, Smith emphasized the importance of always doing the best job, and consistently providing quality service to customers. He says that for him, it is not about getting more business, but more about getting around to everyone while still providing a high-quality service. Even though storms can lead to more business, having a good reputation for providing a high-quality service is even more important for Smith. “We were who we were before the storm work came, and we will be who we are after the storm work as well,” Smith said about providing quality repairs and renovations with or without harsh weather seasons. Prior to hurricane season and other extreme weather catastrophes, Smith said people ask more questions about the company’s records and reputation, almost like an interview. He said they would ask things like “how long have you been in business, what are your warranties, do you have any references” etc. “You come in the storms and none of that matters,” Smith said. “It’s ‘How fast can you do it?’ ‘How soon can you get to it’?” When storms come around, for many customers, it becomes more about getting the job done as quickly as possible rather than checking on the company’s records and reputation. Keeping one’s family safe with a roof over their heads becomes priority number one.
When asked about the hardest part of his job, he said, “There is no ‘hardest part,’ because I love what I do and wouldn’t change my job for anything.”
“Good or bad, 10 times out of 10 we’ll always do what is right,” Smith said about why people should choose G&G. Smith said he has two families: the family that he goes home to and the family he works with.
