Business Longevity, Replacement Contractors
William C. Rott & Son, Tonawanda, N.Y.
550 Rank: #98
Editor's Note: This is one of eight profiles honoring outstanding firms on the Remodeling 550. To read the rest of the profiles, click here.
At this 107-year-old roofing company, focusing on quality is a family tradition. Founded by general manager Steven Rott’s great-grandfather as a full-service builder and remodeler, the work has changed over the years, but not the commitment to excellence. “We want to be what we say we are,” says Rott, “and that’s people who care about doing a good job and taking care of people.”
To keep its work consistent and eliminate insurance concerns, the company never uses subcontractors. “It’s a worry-free job, at all levels,” Rott says. That includes after the work is complete; William C. Rott & Son, the No. 98 Specialty Contractor, offers a 20-year transferable workmanship warranty, more comprehensive than standard shingle warranties, Rott notes. “Even if the warranty is expired but maybe there’s a minor leak, we’ll go out and reseal something.”
The company is inspired by previous generations, but it isn’t stuck in the past. “There’s always room to improve, so we’re really paying attention to where our gaps are,” Rott says. This has led to an increase in positive word in mouth over the past year, he says, contributing to the company’s growth. To keep up the trend, the firm is making creative marketing a priority, as well as introducing a “roof tune-up” service and exploring the possibilities of solar installation.
