Creating a roofing company
It started in 1998 with three brothers, a steep two story farmhouse, and four layers of old shingles. Here is how a summer job turned into a family operated roofing company serving homeowners across the Midwest and Rockies.
- Founded by three brothers in 1998
- Incorporated in Kansas in 2001
- Offices across four states
- Still family operated
By Eric Weddle · 4 min read
Beginnings
Weddle & Sons got its start back in 1998 when three brothers, Eric, Allyn, and Tim, agreed to help some friends replace their old farmhouse roof. The boys, ages 17, 15, and 13, had their hands full with the steep two story house and its four layers of old shingles, but after completing that project they figured they could manage just about any job. Maybe this had more potential as a summer job than mowing lawns, though they did a little of that on the side too.
Initially they called the business "E.A.T. Roofing," using their initials. It did not take them long to reconsider that when they heard their suppliers snickering every time they called in to order materials. The name "Weddle and Sons" did not score highly for creativity, but it accomplished the dual purpose of getting rid of "EAT" and implying some adult involvement in the firm. To be fair, Mark Weddle, their father, did play a significant role helping the boys get the business going, and has been at various times a financer, landlord, lead generator, company officer, and once or twice got up on a roof to help out too. He continues to be a trusted advisor to the company.
In June 2001, Weddle & Sons incorporated in the state of Kansas. By this time all three boys were old enough to drive and the company boasted two trucks, one of them an old dump truck with an unwieldy manual transmission, and one highly impractical utility trailer. What they initially lacked in operational efficiency, they made up for with hard work and long hours, and by hiring lots of their friends.
Growth
Over the years the company has grown consistently and is firmly established as a leading roofing contractor in the Northeast Kansas region, as well as expanding into other regional markets. In 2013 the company brought on long time friend and experienced roofer Sam Lyon to help open a branch in the Lincoln, Nebraska area, later moving to an office near 70th and O Street. In 2017 the company expanded to the Front Range of Colorado as Professional Roofing and Exteriors joined the Weddle group. Professional Roofing began serving the Denver and Fort Collins markets in 2001 and brought a long history of commercial and residential expertise to our company. In 2018 we opened our Kansas City Metro office and expanded to serve the entire Omaha Metro market as well.
Outlook
We believe our multi location regional model provides great value to our customers. It allows us to remain intensely local in our client and community relationships while realizing economies of scale in purchasing and administrative support. This expanded footprint also lets us quickly shift resources to respond to storms and other demand spikes, and develop deeper product and application expertise that can be shared across the company.
We are thankful for the scores of current and former employees who have helped build a solid, community based business, and we are looking forward to many more years of delivering great service to clients.
Let's protect your home for the next 25 years.
Free inspections. Honest estimates. Family operated since 1999.