Why We Never Use Subcontractors: The Weikles Roofing Difference

Quick Answer: At Weikles Roofing, every person who works on your roof is our employee — not a subcontractor. This means consistent quality, direct accountability, and the confidence to offer a lifetime craftsmanship warranty on every job. In an industry where most companies hire random crews for each project, we believe you deserve to know exactly who's on your roof.

Updated January 2026 | 6 min read

When you hire a roofing company, do you know who's actually going to show up at your house? For most homeowners in Ashland County and Richland County, the answer is no — and that's a problem.

I'm Jesse Weikle, owner of Weikles Roofing. As a third-generation roofer, I've seen how the industry has changed. Many companies today operate more like brokers than roofers — they sell jobs, then hire whoever's available to do the work. We do things differently.

What Does "No Subcontractors" Actually Mean?

When we say we never use subcontractors, here's what that means in practice:

Every worker is our employee. The crew that arrives at your home works for Weikles Roofing. They're on our payroll, covered by our insurance, and trained to our standards.

No hired-out labor. We don't post on Craigslist looking for day laborers. We don't call temp agencies. We don't broker jobs to other companies.

The same crew, every time. When you call Weikles Roofing, you're getting our team — people I've personally trained and who I work alongside regularly.

Why Do Most Roofing Companies Use Subcontractors?

Understanding why others do it helps explain why we don't.

Lower overhead. Subcontractors are cheaper on paper. Companies don't pay benefits, workers' comp, or training costs. They pay per job and move on.

Scale without investment. A company can take on 10 jobs simultaneously by hiring 10 different crews. They don't need to actually employ anyone.

Less management required. When you subcontract, the crew's quality isn't really your problem — at least until something goes wrong.

The result? The roofing industry has a reputation for inconsistent quality, communication problems, and crews that disappear mid-project. That's not how we operate.

The Real Problems with Subcontractors

Problem #1: You Don't Know Who's on Your Roof

With subcontracted crews, the salesperson you trust has no connection to the workers doing the job. You might meet a professional sales rep, but the crew that shows up could be anyone.

I've heard homeowners describe crews showing up at 6 AM with music blaring, workers who don't speak English and can't answer questions, or teams that leave early and never come back. That's the subcontractor gamble.

With Weikles Roofing: I can tell you the name of every person who will work on your roof. Most have been with us for years.

Problem #2: Quality Varies from Job to Job

When a company uses different crews for different jobs, quality is inconsistent. One homeowner gets a great result; the next gets a mess. There's no standard because there's no consistent team.

With Weikles Roofing: Every job meets the same standard because the same people do the work. We're not learning on your house.

Problem #3: No One Takes Responsibility

When something goes wrong with a subcontracted job, the finger-pointing begins. The company blames the crew. The crew blames the company. The homeowner gets stuck in the middle.

With Weikles Roofing: If something goes wrong, it's on us. Period. That's why we can offer a lifetime craftsmanship warranty — we're not worrying about who to blame.

Problem #4: Insurance Gray Areas

Here's something most homeowners don't think about: insurance. When a company uses subcontractors, coverage can get complicated. Is the crew insured? Does the company's policy cover subcontractor work? What happens if someone gets hurt?

With Weikles Roofing: Our employees are covered by our workers' compensation and liability insurance. There's no gray area.

What Our In-House Approach Means for You

Consistent Quality

Our crew has installed hundreds of roofs together. They know each other's strengths. They've developed systems that work. This isn't a group of strangers meeting for the first time at your house.

Better Communication

When you have a question during your project, you can ask anyone on the crew — or call me directly. There's no chain of middlemen. The person answering your question is the person doing the work.

Accountability You Can Trust

Our lifetime craftsmanship warranty isn't a marketing gimmick. We can stand behind it because we control every aspect of the installation. We know exactly how your roof was installed because our team installed it.

Pride in the Work

Employees who are treated well take pride in their work. Our crew members aren't here for a one-day paycheck — they're building careers. That pride shows up in the finished product.

How to Tell If a Company Uses Subcontractors

Thinking about getting quotes from multiple roofers? Here are questions to ask:

"Will your employees be doing the work, or do you use subcontractors?" A legitimate question that many salespeople will dodge. If they can't give you a straight answer, that's your answer.

"Can you tell me who will be on the crew?" If they don't know, they're probably hiring whoever's available.

"Who do I contact if there's a problem during the job?" With subcontractors, this answer gets complicated. With us, it's simple: call me.

"Is your crew covered by your insurance?" Some companies will say yes even when it's technically not true for subcontracted work. Ask for documentation.

The Trade-Off: Why We're Not the Cheapest

Let me be direct: our approach costs more. Employing people costs more than subcontracting. Benefits cost money. Training costs money. Treating people well costs money.

When you see a roofing quote that's dramatically lower than others, ask yourself how they're cutting costs. The answer is often labor — either through subcontractors or by cutting corners you won't notice until years later.

We're not the cheapest roofer in Ashland County. But we're the roofer who can tell you exactly who will be on your roof, exactly how your roof will be installed, and exactly what happens if anything goes wrong — forever.

Why This Matters in a Small Community

Ashland County and Richland County aren't huge markets. When we install a roof in Perrysville, Loudonville, or Mansfield, we're installing it for our neighbors. Our crew members live in these communities.

That changes how you operate. We're not a company that can disappear after a bad job — we're going to run into that homeowner at the grocery store. Our reputation is everything, and it depends on every single roof we install.

Ready to Work with a Roofer You Can Trust?

If you're looking for a roofing contractor in Ashland County or Richland County who actually employs the people doing the work, let's talk.

Call: (419) 989-6776
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday by appointment
Service Area: 25-mile radius of Perrysville

I'll personally come to your home, answer your questions, and give you a straightforward quote — no pressure, no games. And when the job starts, you'll know exactly who's on your roof.

— Jesse Weikle, Owner, Weikles Roofing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why don't you use subcontractors like other roofing companies?

We believe the only way to guarantee consistent quality is to control who does the work. Subcontractors create variability — different skills, different standards, different accountability. By employing our own crews, we ensure every roof meets our standards, and we can confidently offer a lifetime craftsmanship warranty.

Does using in-house crews make your prices higher?

Our prices may be slightly higher than companies using subcontracted labor, but the difference pays for quality you can verify and a warranty you can trust. The real question isn't "who's cheapest?" — it's "who will still be here in 10 years if something goes wrong?"

How long have your crew members worked for you?

Our core team has been together for years. Most started as helpers and learned the trade working alongside experienced roofers. This continuity means better coordination, fewer mistakes, and faster project completion.

What does your lifetime craftsmanship warranty cover?

Our lifetime warranty covers any issues related to how your roof was installed — leaks, blow-offs, installation defects — for as long as you own your home. Because we control the installation process with our own employees, we can stand behind this warranty completely.

How do I verify that a roofing company uses their own employees?

Ask directly: "Will your employees or subcontractors do the work?" Request names of crew members. Ask about workers' compensation coverage. Companies that use subcontractors often hedge their answers or can't provide specifics.