WORD FOR THE DAY – “pettifogger” [pet-ee-fog, -fawg] also [pet’ ee fog r]  (n.) “a person pretending to be something else; imposter.” Also “a petty, shifty, and often dishonest lawyer.” (Random House) Also “a shyster lawyer.” (theFreeDictionary.com) “pettifog” (v.) “1. to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters; 2. to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business; 3. to practice chicanery of any sort.” (dictionary.com) Syn. “cheat, chisler, imposter, shyster, scammer, etc.”

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Pettifogger. Apply the word to roofing shysters.

Here’s a word you don’t hear too often, if ever: pettifogger. Most of us would use the word “shyster,” instead. Shawn Brannon makes that reference with contempt. Some roofing companies are shysters, he said to me, during our recent interview. He made it clear that All Elements, Inc., a Monticello commercial and residential roofing company, is a company he’s proud to represent because the family-owned enterprise can be trusted.

Now, I trust what Shawn has to say because I’ve known him through the River City Business Network International group we both belong to. However, his response to a question I asked him is, maybe, more telling. I asked Shawn what he loves most about the business. Without a pause, he answered that he was happiest when he kept folks from having sleepless nights of worry over the condition of their home or building. He understood that having a good, solid roof overhead meant a healthier environment for the inhabitants – no contamination of the food prepared in the building and no compromised quality of the air they breathed.

(Shawn and “the guys” can smell a bad roof. In fact, they must wear protective clothing and masks when removing rotten foam insulation to protect themselves from the acrid vapors.)

Roofing companies that compromise on durable materials and skillful workmanship are pettifoggers in my estimation. (I love this word.) They don’t remove rot; they camouflage it. They leave leaks around vents and skylights. They can’t hammer a nail flush and are too lazy to blind nail. They take your money up front, complete half the project, and then, disappear to the end of a telephone line that rings and rings, but is never answered. Shysters. Scammers. Fly-by-nights. Pettifoggers. Companies like this have no shame and no pride in their work. (I can imagine Shawn shaking his head in agreement.) They are imposters, not true roofers.

True roofers have standards, like those of All Elements, Inc., from what I understand. The Better Business Bureau’s given them a “thumbs up.” They’re a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association and follow its standards. All Elements is a GAF-Certified Installer. (GAF is “the largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing.”) Finally, the company is a winner, for the seventh straight year, of the Duro-Last® “Elite Contractor Award.” This recognition designates All Elements as a “Master Contractor.”

For roofing contractors, this is HUGE. Duro-Last® is a manufacturer of roofing systems (“the right white roof,” notes Shawn) for flat or low-sloped roofs. All Elements must roof a minimum of 100,000 square feet in Duro-Last® and pass a strict inspection to qualify for the award and for the homeowner’s warranty to be honored.

So take note, homeowners and business owners. Remember All Elements, Shawn Brannon, and this writer’s word-for-the-day. You don’t want to be taken in by a roofing pettifogger (shyster). Do your research, talk to Shawn Brannon, and check out All Element, Inc.’s website at http://www.allelementsinc.net  www.allelementsinc.net.

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