Hedrick Construction Inc. of Huxley, Iowa, has relied on old-fashioned hard work and great customer referrals to build a sterling reputation over the past decade. Owner Shawn Hedrick, 32, and his wife, Business Manager Heather Hedrick, 31, both have college degrees, but it was Shawn who was looking for work out of college when a part-time roofing job led him to start his own company nearly ten years ago.



Sponsored by Allied Building Products Corporation


Hedrick Construction Inc. of Huxley, Iowa, has relied on old-fashioned hard work and great customer referrals to build a sterling reputation over the past decade. Owner Shawn Hedrick, 32, and his wife, Business Manager Heather Hedrick, 31, both have college degrees, but it was Shawn who was looking for work out of college when a part-time roofing job led him to start his own company nearly ten years ago.

Today, Hedrick Construction is a general contracting company specializing in roofing, siding, windows, seamless gutters and gutter guards for both new and existing residential and commercial construction. “We began primarily doing new construction, but as word of mouth referrals spread, we were able to get into residential re-roofing,” Heather said. “We grow a little more every year and have started doing other home exterior projects such as gutter and gutter guard installation, window installation, siding and small remodels.”

The company recently re-roofed the steeple of a church and had to do it in a way that would preserve its historical nature. “Our crews had to rent a crane to tear off the existing wood shakes, replace all damaged framework, and install new wood shake shingles,” Heather said. “We had to refabricate the existing weathervane on the upper steeple of the church as well as removing, repairing, and re-installing the existing bell. When the old shakes were torn off, the crews saw names that had been written and etched into the original framework that dated back to 1898 when the church was built.”

Hedrick Construction was also contracted by a local Historical Society to re-roof a historic home known as Evergreen Lane in Nevada, Iowa. “We had a crew of 18 workers on site to complete the roof in a day,” Heather said. “We had to remove a layer of wood shakes and three layers of asphalt shingles and install a new roof that was according to the Iowa State Historical Society guidelines.”

Hedrick Construction, which prides itself in its hardworking, experienced work crews, is a platinum preferred contractor for Owens Corning, and works with national supply chains such as Allied Building Products, as well as small local lumber stores in the communities they work in.

Shawn Hedrick said the company is fortunate to be doing well despite the tough economic times. “We’re busier than we’ve ever been this year,” he said.

“We don’t rely on new construction, so we haven’t been affected by the downturn in that industry,” Heather Hedrick said. “We have had to be competitive in the field as customers are getting more estimates than what we have seen in the past. We are fortunate that a lot of customers are remodeling and making improvements to their homes rather than buying new.”

The Hedricks offered a couple commonsense tips. “Hard work is the key to running a successful business,” Heather said. “Having loyal crews is a necessity. Word of mouth referrals is the best form of advertising, so make sure every customer is happy. Research your competition, but don’t talk negatively about them. Give back to the community.”