Gardner Roofing Inc. | BUILDING THE MCVICAR HOUSE
Photos by JENNIFER GOETZ
Gardner Roofing will be completing the roof for the McVicar House. Gardner has completed many residential and commercial roofing projects through the years, including Washburn University buildings, The Dillon House and Cedarhurst.
“It’s gratifying to be entrusted to do the work on the MacVicar House,” he said.
ELEVATING EXPERTISE
Lee Gardner, owner of Gardner Roofing Inc., is a second-generation roofer. He got his start lugging shingles at age 10, eventually taking over his father’s business in 1990 and becoming incorporated in 1998.
“I love being outside and turning something that looks bad into something that looks great,” he said. “I have the knowledge and capability to work with customers to put on a roof that will last and that they’ll be super happy with.”
Gardner Roofing who has a long history of roofing residential and commercial buildings in Topeka including the Dillon House, will be completing the roof for the MacVicar House.
CREATING A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
To help customers interested in repairing or replacing roofs better understand what they’re purchasing, Gardner built a small home section in his showroom to give them a hands-on opportunity to see the intricate process involved.
“Customers love being able to see roofing materials at eye level and peel back the layers,” he said. “They can see the attic and the gutter apron and touch things and place sample boards on top to see how their selections might look.”
KEEPING UP ON PRODUCTS & TRENDS
Gardner meets frequently with manufacturers to keep abreast of new developments, welcoming representatives onsite or visiting their facilities.
“When I was starting out in the business, most people wanted white composition shingles or wood shakes,” he said. “Now it’s weathered wood and rustic black.”
Gardner said some customers are interested in adding more expensive metal elements to their roofs, especially for new construction.
“Depending on the house, instead of doing a whole roof in metal we can add a splash to a dormer or a porch,” he said.
Gardner’s company employs 10 people, including his daughter, LeighAnn Cooksley, and his wife, Christina.
“The three of us are related, but we’re all family here,” he said.
