A third-generation roofer based in Fitchburg, Cochran earned his MBA from Fitchburg State University and turned the family trade into a business with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. He now hopes to pass the tradition on to his son, continuing the legacy into a fourth generation.
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Since founding Red Dog’s Roofing in 2012, Patrick Cochran has honored his hardworking family legacy by naming the company after his grandfather, nicknamed Red, who was known for always working like a dog. A third-generation roofer based in Fitchburg, Cochran earned his MBA from Fitchburg State University and turned the family trade into a business with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. He now hopes to pass the tradition on to his son, continuing the legacy into a fourth generation.
What is the founding story of Red Dog’s Roofing?
I grew up working on roofs. While I was finishing up my MBA, I focused on repairs and preventative maintenance. I worked with many commercial companies, which meant I had to be very responsive. There were a lot of emergency repairs and preventative maintenance. By the time I graduated with my MBA, I really focused on the residential side because I had seen first-hand the need for contractors who were trustworthy, have good communication skills, and provide strong customer service. So, three years into business, I started the residential side of the business, and it grew 100% through word of mouth. In 2017, I basically went from just a word-of-mouth business focusing on repairs and replacements, to opening up a second office in Sarasota, Florida. I went from having no website to two offices overnight and then getting websites for both, which was pretty cool.
What types of roofing services do you specialize in?
We focus on residential and commercial roofing and exteriors. Our focus is asphalt shingles, metal roofing slate in the Northeast, and tiles in Florida. We work on repairs and replacements for all types of flat roofs. Then in the Northeast, we also do vinyl siding and James Hardie siding. There are fast services we offer, which all fall under the roofing and exterior umbrella. Our work reflects our expertise, because we have very knowledgeable representatives. We can take on very simple projects, or we can take on very complicated work. We are a one-stop shop when it comes to roofing and exteriors for both residential and commercial customers.
What are some obstacles you have faced in the roofing industry, and how did you overcome them?
Like most industries, hiring is obviously a challenge, but I think the way that we've really overcome that is by having a good process. It really starts with having a company culture and making people feel valued, heard, and appreciated. A second one would just be competing against companies that offer rock-bottom prices. In this industry, you see companies that may be a little deceitful with what they're showing clients. Unfortunately, customers are unaware of some of the hidden costs these companies have. It's a big investment, and if you hire somebody and it doesn't go well, you may end up in a situation where you paid all this money and now, you're paying more to fix somebody's mistake. Whereas if you just hired a company with a good process, you could avoid those costs.
What is your Commercial Roofing Competition, and how does it amplify the roofing workforce pipeline?
Red Dog’s Roofing partnered with SkillsUSA Massachusetts to launch the first Commercial Roofing Competition, which took place on May 2 at the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton. SkillsUSA is like the trade school Olympics. It has all trades, but roofing has never been part of the program, so my team and I got national approval with SkillsUSA for this commercial roofing competition. I really wanted to show students there are so many facets of this industry such as being an inspector, an estimator, project manager, or crew leader. Roofing is not a dead-end job, but a fulfilling career. The competition was a mockup with a wooden structure where competition students installed a TPO membrane, which is a thermoplastic membrane hand-welded together. Students were proud to showcase the installation skills they had worked hard to learn all semester.
What advice would you give homeowners who are looking for a qualified roofer, but do not know where to start?
Make sure that you check them out online, read their reviews, and make sure they have a good process. With contractors, it is not just accepting a number. You really want to make sure you feel comfortable with the person you're hiring, and not just with the price, because there are many variables that go into the price. You don't want to hire a contractor that's cutting corners.
This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Correspondent Sloane M. Perron.
