Scudder Roofing is a full-service residential and commercial roofing and waterproofing contractor serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. The family-owned and operated firm has been devoted to the highest standards of craftsmanship and customer service for over four decades. Its factory-trained and certified technicians work with all roofing materials, including asphalt, metal, tile, cedar shingles and specialty systems like Duro-Last®. Solar and battery storage/backup systems are available through its sister company, Scudder Solar (Lic. #902095).
Founder and Chairman Pete Scudder and his daughter, Jennifer Scudder, who now serves as President and CEO, share a deep commitment to customer service excellence. "From the beginning, we built this company on the idea of exceeding our customers' expectations," says Pete Scudder. Jennifer, who grew up in the business and has worked there for over two decades, adds, "That foundational philosophy has never changed. Our dedication to delivering extremely high-quality work and 100% customer satisfaction is why we're still here so many years later."
Scudder has received awards and recognition from numerous organizations over the years, including the Monterey County Business Council (Lifetime Achievement Award, Building & Design Award), Duro-Last (Elite Contractor Award), Monterey County Weekly (Best Roofing Company) and the Top 100 U.S. Roofing Contractors.
"We treat every customer as if they're our best customer. We've built our company to provide 100% satisfaction with a total commitment to our customers, employees and the community."
When hiring a roofing contractor, put away preconceived notions and focus on informed research.
“Unfortunately, our industry doesn’t have the best reputation,” says Pete Scudder, owner of Scudder Roofing Company in Marina. “I think contractors are second after car dealers in the number of customer complaints received.”
The National Roofing Contractors Association has compiled a list of questions and guidelines to use when hiring a roofing contractor, from asking for license numbers to knowing what to look for in a proposal. You can find the list at www.scudderroofing.com/how_to_choose_roofing_contractor.htm.Mr. Scudder p
oints out a few items that are potentially more important than others but that homeowners often forget to consider. “Make sure the people working on your home are actually employees, not subcontractors,” he says. “If they’re not employees, they may not be covered by insurance, which makes you liable if they’re injured on the job.” Mr. Scudder also advises to check with vendors that provide the materials to ensure the contractor is certified to install that particular product. “Sometimes the contractor will fail to pay the vendor, and the homeowner discovers the vendor has placed a lien on the house. Make sure you get proper lien releases from the vendors.”
Despite these setbacks, the roofing industry is seeing a Green revolution. “We’re really excited about the Greening of our industry,” says Mr. Scudder. “It’s not just about solar power. More and more roofing products are recyclable and manufactured using sustainable processes. When we tear off a roof, that demolition material is recycled instead of going into a landfill.” California has also adopted laws mandating the use of reflective roofing materials, which reflect the sun’s energy instead of absorbing it and creating more work for air conditioning systems. “These materials were originally used on commercial buildings,” says Mr. Scudder, “but now they’re making their way onto residential roofs. It’s a great trend.”
Scudder Roofing Company offers custom reroofing and general roof repair services to residential and commercial clients throughout the Monterey Peninsula. In addition to shake, shingle, tile and sheet metal roofing, the company provides solar panels and roofing systems, foundational waterproofing, siding and retrofit windows.
Pete Scudder founded Scudder Roofing Company in 1982 to put roofs over people's heads and provide them with enjoyable construction experiences at the same time. Mr. Scudder says he facilitates his customers' experiences by hiring, training and retaining the best teams possible. "We have a strict policy on how we train our people, both the teams in the field and the management staff in the office. Each year, we set out a vision of what we're going to accomplish for our clientele, and we all rally behind it."
On average, Scudder Roofing Company's installation teams have been with the firm for 14 years, and Mr. Scudder says they turn their experience into value and quality for every customer. "We build long-term relationships with our employees. In this industry, the typical turnaround time is two to three years. We're well beyond that."
When a job is complete, Scudder Roofing Company conducts a thorough inspection with the client, foreman, outside superintendent and safety superintendent to ensure the work exceeds everyone's expectations. "Almost 90 percent of our work is from repeats or referrals," says Mr. Scudder. "We're very proud of that. We're not just roofing contractors; we protect people's homes, which are often their most cherished investments. Our objective is to make the roofing process a great experience."