Summit Point Roofing

A BETTER ROOFING EXPERIENCE

By Amanda Matkowski

Photos by James Richard Fry

The average homeowner will replace his or her roof 1.6 times over a lifetime. Therefore, when a house requires a new roof, most homeowners are experiencing the process for the first time. Summit Point Roofing understands how overwhelming replacing and maintaining a roof can be, and they strive to provide superior service for every client.

“For most people, a roofing project is like new tires on a car or going to the dentist: It’s not something they look forward to,” Joe Westra, co-owner of Summit Point Roofing, said. “We try to make it as easy and painless as possible, and when our clients share with us what a great experience it was working with us, it really makes it worthwhile.”

Joe Westra and John Van Wylen launched Summit Point Roofing in late 2015, and since then, the business has quickly grown into one of the largest and most respected roofing companies in Grand Rapids. Due to demand from previous customers, they have also opened a second location in Traverse City in 2021.

The company offers a full spectrum of residential and commercial roofing services, such as replacement and maintenance for all roofing products in addition to gutters and insulation. The most important service it provides, however, is roof repairs. Unlike most other roofing companies, Summit Point Roofing has a very large repair division. “We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, quality of work and exceptional customer service,” John Van Wylen said.

Due to its focus on excellence, Summit Point Roofing has been recognized by North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF. Its contractors are GAF-certified Master Elites, which are reserved for the top 2-3% of roofing contractors nationwide. The business has also received the GAF President’s Club Award, an honor reserved for Master Elite contractors who meet the program requirements for revenue, quality and customer satisfaction.

As it continuously seeks ways to deliver outstanding service, Summit Point Roofing has managed to get ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. “We work really hard to stay current on technological advancements in the industry,” Joe explained. “Whether it’s utilizing various apps for estimating, taking satellite roof measurements, deploying drones for inspections or using new materials that are more eco-friendly such as solar, we stay on the cutting edge of technology in order to better serve our clients.”

Summit Point Roofing also supports real estate agents as they work with clients trying to buy or sell a house. “A roof can be a scary thing for buyers and sellers when it comes up on inspection, and because of the price tag of a new roof, it can derail a sale,” John shared. “Our goal is to provide honest feedback to the agents, buyers and sellers. We provide 24- to 48-hour turnaround on inspections and quotes, can get paid through escrow when necessary and prioritize projects for real estate agents so they are completed prior to closing.”

Before establishing Summit Point Roofing, Joe and John worked for separate roofing companies in Colorado. “Colorado is one of the largest hail markets in the country, which, in turn, makes it one of the largest roofing markets in the country,” Joe explained. After having a couple of children, John moved back to Grand Rapids in 2014 to be closer to extended family and to pursue another career. Joe and his family returned to Grand Rapids the following year for the same reasons. “We both quickly realized that the roofing industry in Western Michigan was different from Colorado, but our respective skill sets and strong desire to create a better roofing experience for people in Western Michigan led us to starting Summit Point Roofing,” Joe added.

Over the past six years, the Westras and Van Wylens have spent a lot of time together. “Our wives have actually become best friends over the years, and our kids line up pretty well age-wise — although, opposite genders,” John said, laughing. He and his wife have three children — two girls and one boy — whereas Joe and his wife have four children — two girls and two boys. When the two of them are not working, they enjoy playing golf.

Although Joe and John ultimately want to be remembered for being good husbands and fathers, they would also like to be known for creating a workplace where employees can grow and thrive within the company. “We are often reminding each other and our employees that we exist to serve our clients, not the other way around,” John said. Joe added, “We have a saying around here: Details matter, people matter. Take care of both.”

To learn more information about Summit Point Roofing, visit summitpointroofing.com.

Joe Westra

John Van Wylen

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT on Summit Point Roofing