John Simpson 

My Story

I was in finance in 2008 when the markets crashed and no one was hiring. I found a work where ever I could.  Strangely, what I had thought to be a temporary necessity, manual labor in Roofing, became a fulfilling career.  In Roofing I was making a lasting real difference in peoples lives, the work I did was not some intangible promise.   I could see my work, and best of all years later, decades later, I see it all around still there, still serving, working as intended. 

I started as a general laborer.  Roofing is not for everyone, you must be dirty, uncomfortable, hot, cold, wet, blistered, suffer fatigue and back pain with regularity.  There is a danger to the work, so one must be  vividly cognisant at nearly every moment.  Work must be correct, clean and proper because mistakes could cost hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars or even millions, while some mistakes even cost life.  

The Roof is its own world, up there, where a serene peace quells the danger and dismay of the labor ahead.  There are few who reverence this bond, for most it is just a means to an end or a temporary filler job that pays better than anything else they could find because of the hazard pay.  And like me when I started they were crazy enough to make the venture. 

The reality is that most roofers are not philosophers nor are they overly responsible like I am, few gain the sacred bond or love for roofing.  Most let their humanity take hold - living for the weekend - which then reflects in the quality of work.  Why do I love what I do? I know how frustrating bad work is and if you pay for something it should be done right.  Making sure it is right requires a keen eye.  I know where to find shoddy workmanship because I worked with these guys installing roofs.  I know the mentality and the fatigue.  So when I inspect their work, I know where the sins usually lie.  I am excellent at inspections I know what few may see.  I know the workers and worse the owners directing them to make it good enough for a year and the flimsy legal warranty.  They know that they can let good enough go... for now, just let it be.  No one will see - except they didn't count on the Roofing Consultants of Tennessee.