Today we’d like to introduce you to John White.
Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After graduating from Texas A & M University in 1974. I worked in engineering for almost 10 years. Being tired of all of the travel and corporate atmosphere I made the decision to become self-employed. In 1990 the opportunity became available to work and possibly own an “old and highly respected roofing company”- Griffith Roofing Company Inc. So for the past 27 years I have either worked for or owned Griffith Roofing Co with my brother- Jim. We bought the company in 1995 and in 2004 we moved our location from Dallas to Rockwall since this is where we were raised. We have prided ourselves with keeping Griffith Roofing known as one of the most trustworthy and accommodating roof contracting company in the Dallas area. Russell Griffith started the company in 1926 with his brother. Russell bought him out some time in the early 30’s. He and his brother had the same work ethics as we maintain today. Griffith has been a continuously operated roofing contractor with an office and office personnel for 91 years. The doors have never been close for business. We pride ourselves in maintaining customer satisfaction. As a small company, Griffith Roofing has overcome some barriers that has made us even more conscientious of customer needs and desires when it comes to beautifying and protecting their home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a small company there have been many barriers and difficult times. With no Texas State regulations or licensing required to install a roof, anyone can become our competition. This is the largest hurdle we had to tackle. Sales tactics have changed drastically in the past 25 years so we had to follow these guidelines- like it or not. I would prefer business be like it was 25 yrs. ago when a prospective customer would either look at the longevity of a company or their reputation. Personally, I have written many letters to every law making body in Texas begging for a trade licensing and some regulations of our industry. Texas is one of the last states that are not required to have a roofing contractor’s license. But hopefully someday a license to operate as a roofing contractor will be required. It is an uneven balance between companies that have all of the insurance needs and office overhead and the competition that have none of the necessary protection for their customers.
Please tell us about Griffith Roofing.
Griffith Roofing Co is a full-service roof contractor. We specialize in residential and commercial roof installations. I am over the residential side of the company and Jim is over the commercial side. We install all residential and commercial roofs and have an in-house metal shop for installation of metal roofs. We also apply silicon coatings to commercial and residential roofs- Which seems like the future of a long term “leak less” flat roof installation technique. We have a full staff of highly knowledgeable sales people and a construction superintendent. We own our office and properties joining it.
There is a full-time staff that operates the office and answers any questions anyone might have 6 days a week. We have all the insurance needs and are bondable. We have customers that come to us for their roofing needs and tell their children and grandchildren to us Griffith Roofing. We have literally put roofs on for 3 or 4 generations of family members throughout the Dallas Area We also perform repairs in other trades. The contractors that we use have been working in conjunction with us long enough to gain our trust. We also stand behind all contractor’s work. We don’t finish a job until the customer is pleased.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
A company owner will always make mistakes but the one that most likely will survive is the one that learns by his mistakes. I’m not sure if I would change anything if I would have it all to do over again. It has been a tremendous learning experience.
Contact Info:
- Address: 207 Ranch Trl.,
Rockwall - Website: griffithroofingco.com
- Phone: 9727723330
- Email: johnwhite160@msn.com
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