September Winner – Pitch – MF Roofing
MF Roofing was established in March 2012 with the clear aim of offering two things:
- High-quality roofing services
- Outstanding customer service
My background, before self-employment, was eight years working in the industry for a larger company. It was here I completed my apprenticeship, learnt the tricks of the trade and developed my skills. After this, I continued working as a roofer for another four years, completing jobs on a range of property types and roofing projects. It was this early time in my career when I developed my passion for working with older properties, particularly listing buildings. I was fascinated by their character and their history, and so learnt everything I could about the different ways I could help to preserve these when completing roofing jobs. From that point, I knew that I wanted to specialise in listed properties.
First steps to roofing excellence
I knew I could offer services that people would need, people would want, and no other roofer could compete with. So, to get the business up and running, I maxed out my overdraft and received financial help from my partner and my mum. This allowed me to buy a van, tools and a set of ladders; everything I needed to begin working as MF Roofing.
As a new company, eager to establish our name, the first step was to secure work and prove to the world that we offer the best services in the area. To do this, our first job was found through a golf friend, who was looking to have their business’s roof replaced.
The first few months were challenging; trying to get the business up and running and get our name out there. We wanted to make everyone aware of who MF Roofing was, what we were about, and establish a customer base. However, as with most challenges, through perseverance and hard work, it started to pay off and with more work began to appear on the books.
A great team for offering the best work
In January 2013, MF Roofing took the first steps of growth and brought on another team member. Bryan, my brother-in-law, had not long left school and was looking for joinery apprenticeship. However, he had the same drive and dedication that MF Roofing was founded with, and so was convinced to come on board and continues working with us today.
Our second apprentice joined the team mid-way through 2016. We sought out a younger person to offer the position too, as opposed to someone who had some experience. The reason for this being my experience with so-called “tradesman”, and how they had previously lead to more issues and complaints from customers in four weeks than I had in the four years prior. At this point, I knew the way forward was to take on apprentices and train them up to be top tradespeople. There is a lot to be said for investing time and energy into young people.
Onwards and upwards
Since starting MF Roofing, I’ve always placed importance on staying up-to-date with the latest trends and standards, which allows us to remain at the cutting edge within our sector.
Despite not much having changed in the industry over the past hundred years, MF Roofing approaches our work with knowledge drawn from traditional and new building practices, to offer the best services no matter the job or the property.
Traditional slating itself has almost become a dying art. Few companies are left who fully know how to carry out this sort of work, partly due to economic pressures. People want work carried out as fast and cheaply as possible, and not many can keep up. Carrying out work to a roof using old reclaimed slate, with traditional methods is neither fast nor cheap. Having said all that, I was to ensure all our clients that I will carry on with passing these old school ways of working to the next generations to come.
Address:
20 Wicks of Baiglie Road
Bridge of Earn
Perth
Scotland
PH2 9RN
Telephone: 01738 314551
Mobile: 07590 312134
E mail: mf_roofing@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.mf-roofing.co.uk
