Local Family-Owned Rick’s Roofing Company Turns 35

Writer / Jamie Hergott
Photographer / Amy Payne

Rick's RoofingRick Mann grew up roofing with his dad. At the age of 14, he finally told his dad he wanted to learn how to roof, and this became the beginning of a lifelong love and career in roofing and contracting.

He now owns Rick’s Roofing, the oldest roofing company in Hendricks County, and he has no plans to stop any time soon.

Rick’s Roofing handles residential and commercial roofing, siding, windows and carpentry. Rick and his father Allen started the company in 1986, and it has grown to a 15-man crew over the years.

Rick roofed all the way through high school, then attended trade school. However, before he was halfway finished, he realized roofing was such a good living that he wanted to get back to it.

“It took really good care of me, so I decided to stay at it,” Rick says.

His company has done some of the most notable roofs in the county, including the Avon-Washington Township Public Library, the Plainfield Police Department and Prestwick condominiums. They’ve also done Westside Church as well as a large number of apartments and nursing homes, and they also complete about 200 residential roofs per year.

While it may seem like a new roofing company pops up every day, Rick knows his company has an edge when it comes to equipment and staff. They are top roofing company when it comes to Durable & long-lasting roofing.

“Our trucks are self-sufficient,” Rick says. “When we come out, we actually have everything we need in those trucks. In fact, one truck has enough material in it at one time to do five homes.”

Rick also takes pride in his conveyor truck, which runs shingles up to roofs. He’s the only one in town who has one, and they make work easier for crews.

Rick's RoofingSpeaking of his crews, they’re all in-house. His staff is completely self-contained, making scheduling and jobs convenient, and allowing them to go beyond roofing to gutters, siding, windows and other carpentry work.

“That’s what makes us different,” Rick says. “Back in the day there were only two or three of us out here. Now, all work is in-house. We’re basically an all-around construction company. We’re able to control our work so much better.”

He also doesn’t have a fleet of salesmen. In fact, there are just two – Rick and his wife Amy. They’ve been married almost 16 years, and working together daily has only brought them closer.

“She goes everywhere I go,” he says with a smile. “She’s my right-hand lady. She comes out in the field with me. I estimate. She writes them up, and she does the office work and answers the phone.”

Having been around Hendricks County for years, Rick has been able to donate work and supplies to fill local needs. When Habitat for Humanity has called in the past, informing the company about homes that were in bad shape, they repaired roofs pro bono. Rick loves living on the west side and supporting his local community.

“We take a lot of pride in our work,” Rick says. “We service about a 100-mile radius around Hendricks County and beyond.”

The five-year warranty Rick offers is rare.

“We are that confident in the materials and labor we give our customers,” he says. “Most companies just give one year. In fact, over the past 25 years, I’ve had almost 20 customers call me back to put a new roof on. That just doesn’t happen. Most people haven’t even been in business that long.”

He often finds himself competing with companies that are only six months old.

“They become a roofer overnight with just a truck and a ladder,” Rick says. “Most people don’t know how to put a roof on. They just sell them.”

Rick takes his role very seriously, inspecting every job his company performs. There’s a supervisor on each job site every day for the entire day, and he consistently gets compliments on communication skills, professionalism and honesty.

Rick's RoofingRick’s Roofing is a member of Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau, with an A rating on each, and the company is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Beyond that, Rick simply feels the need to take pride in his work and do a good job.

“I’m not about a bunch of flash,” Rick says. “I don’t need emblems and certificates. Just go install a roof. Others may have a lot of accomplishments on paper but most of them don’t know how to flash a chimney or roof. That’s what I care about.”

Their office and warehouse are located on their own land. They stock all their supplies, buying in bulk from vents to nails to paper, so they can pass the savings on to customers.

Rick’s father passed away in 2008, but his life lessons and work ethic live on in Rick and his company.

“He always told me, ‘Do a quality job for a fair price, and treat other people the way you want to be treated,’” Rick says.

Rick and Amy have three grown boys, of whom they’re extremely proud. While their sons all worked for Rick at one point, they’ve gone in their own directions. That’s fine with Rick, because he works to live and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. He simply enjoys his work and the impact it has on others.

“I love looking at a roof job and seeing how much it enhances a home,” Rick says. “It’s so fulfilling to look at a home with a new roof. It enhances a house, and that enhances people’s lives.”

For more info on Rick’s Roofing, call 317-223-3972 or visit ricksroofingavon.com.

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