Roofsmith Restoration is committed to excellence, down to the last nail
By Adam Cook
Roofsmith Restoration defies convention as a contractor, striving to surpass expectations by deconstructing the process of delivering nothing short of the best.
“People deserve the very best, and we work backward from there to give our very best,” says Mike Farist, company founder.
From that unique vantage point, over the last 15 years since its founding, Roofsmith formulated five questions and reverse engineered the answers to ensure its customers are more than satisfied with their new roof, insulation, gutters, or siding.
Roofsmith earned recognition as an industry leader by adhering to the best practices revealed in the answers to these questions:
1) How do I know the project manager is upfront?
“We have certified and extensively trained project managers who take full ownership,” Mike affirms. “They’re on-site and serve as the sole point of contact, ensuring customers are in the loop.”
As salaried professionals, Roofsmith’s project managers don’t work on commission, so customers are free to ask questions without any prospect of a dreaded up-sale pitch.
2) Can I trust that the company is up to the task?
“Start with the Better Business Bureau (BBB),” Mike suggests. “We have an A-plus rating. Many contractors out there fall short of that but still somehow secure work. Angi is more accurate because more than just weeding out the absolute crooks, it’s feedback-, not problem-driven.”
Roofsmith is a regular Angi Super Service winner, having earned the title three straight years in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
3) Will the crew that shows up be respectful of my family and neighbors?
“Other contractors’ roofing crews don’t always present the best image—shirtless, strewing cigarette butts, you get the picture. Not my guys,” Mike says. “We know we’re only as good as the men and women who swing the hammers, and they’re always in uniform.”
Roofsmith’s crews can also count themselves in the ranks of less than one percent of roofers recognized as Owens Corning Platinum contractors, providing extended roof warranties on the company’s famous pink insulation.
Maintaining this recognition is an achievement in itself.
“Owens Corning does multiple unannounced inspections every year,” Mike confirms. “Even a single failure results in losing the designation, so you know our crews are some of the best in the business.”
4) How do the materials stack up?
“We use materials no one, I mean no one, uses down to the nail, which, in our line of work, is no small thing,” Mike says. “Everyone else uses a smooth shank electrogalvanized nail since it’s easy to pull out and claims not to rust, which is valid to an extent, maybe 12 months, because moisture ends up in the attic. We use a ring shank, hot-dipped galvanized nail that’s five times tougher to pull out and won’t rust for 50 years.”
“We have a laboratory where we subject all our materials to rigorous testing—nails hold tight against the wind, and shingles don’t fade in the sun,” he adds.
The laboratory also gives them a leg up with insurance companies when they need to validate their findings.
5) If there’s an issue, am I up a creek?
“We have an option for an annual inspection, and if something needs fixed, we fix it,” Mike says, “Customers never need to spend another penny on their roofs.”
And the results speak for themselves.
According to the findings of the independent research firm GuildQuality, which has surveyed every Roofsmith customer over the past six years, the company has achieved a 94 percent referral rate—the best in the country. For context, Roofing magazine reported that as many as 62 percent of homeowners would not recommend their roofer.
The word is getting around. The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University recognized Roofsmith as an industry leader with the prestigious 2022 Weatherhead 100 award as one of the fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio.
“Anecdotally, we’re starting to hear reports of other contractors following our lead, picking up some of our best practices, and that’s great,” Mike says. “We’re always seeking to improve, learn and grow, and they have some catching up to do.”
This summer, the company put its name out there with the Roofsmith Diamond Deck at Blossom Music Center.
“Blossom Music Center is the pinnacle of music entertainment and culture in Northeast Ohio,” Mike says. “So, when they approached us to support the new premium seating experience, we resoundingly said, ‘Heck yeah!’”
If it sounds too good to be true, Mike’s ready.
“A lot of folks say ‘sure, sure, but can you deliver?’” he says. “They’re skeptical for good reason, after so many of their experiences with contractors fell short of their expectations. We’re ready to rise to the occasion and give them our very best.”
Roofsmith Restoration, located at 122 Western Ave. in Akron, proudly serves Northeast Ohio. Get a free estimate or roof inspection by visiting Roof-Smith.com or calling 330-822-4245.