We would like to introduce you to G. Woody Miller.
Woody has been in the roofing industry since 1972 and currently owns Miller Tile Roofing in Vancouver, WA. He specializes in tile, primarily repairs, additions and the occasional new roof of an upper end home.
How long on forum? Two years in October.
How’s business? Steady, which is surprising considering my largest new construction job this year has been an 8 square addition.
Who taught you to roof? A guy named Terry, I’ve forgotten his last name (hey it was 1972). He was a good craftsman, but the son-in-law of the owners of the tile company, arrogant and with a quick temper. In the 6 months I worked with him, he went on foul-mouth tirades a half dozen times, twice with the customers. Then on my first day after they made me foreman, I went out to start a new house. When I got there they didn’t have any one side completely sheeted for me, so I did what Terry would have done. I found the builder and let him know what I thought of him wasting my time.
The guy pointed at me and said “I don’t know who you are, but I don’t ever want to see you on one of my sites again.” Before I even got to back to my truck I knew what I had to do and sheepishly went back to apologize and beg him to let me come back whenever he had it ready. I had learned that, like the time he tried to put out a kettle fire by throwing in a can of Mountain Dew, this wasn’t one of Terry’s things I should emulate.
What was the most valuable lessons you learned about roofing? With tile, what’s best for the long term frequently isn’t doing what’s easiest right now.
What was the most valuable lessons learned about business? Be flexible, adapt to the market.
Do you belong to any associations related to your business? The local branch of the Home Builders Association. You get a WC rebate by being a member, so it doesn’t really cost anything.
Do you have any health concerns due to roofing? At 55, I’m still on the roof every day. I detect a slow loss of strength, I just wish the body had a better way of telling you that you’ve reached your limit than pain. But I really have few complaints.
Any hobbies besides roofing? Grandkids, crude garden art, exploring, picture taking (not good enough to call it photography), roots music, keeping up the property.
When you were 10 years old what did you think you would be doing? Forest Ranger, living in Yellowstone.
Any tips for new guys starting out? Resist the temptation to bid lower than you want to, thinking you’ll somehow make it up in efficiency or savings. I can count on the toes of one hand how many times that really happens.
