Contact Us

My leap into the world of business took place when I was just 22.

Having worked as an apprentice for a large, local roofing company for five years, I was confident in tackling most roofing jobs.

Encouraged by my then girlfriend (now my wife) and both our families, I entered self-employment with a small ad in a local parish magazine under the company name of Liam Ells Roofing.

That ad proved the spark that made me realise the fact that (a) there was a need and (b) that I was more than capable of fulfilling that need.

My business now has two full-time employees, three vehicles and uses many other skilled individuals for varying contracts.

From those early days, just six years ago, I have hardly advertised. I have learned that the best advertising comes through recommendation.

Gradually I began picking up more and more jobs in the village via the parish magazine and word spread about my work with contracts coming from all over Exmouth and district and as far as Exeter.

After just a couple of weeks I had bought a small second-hand van and after six months I was buying a new van to accommodate all the tools I was accumulating.

From the magnetic signs on the side of the van I moved to a fully sign-written new vehicle which really marked the start of a series of investments in people and equipment.

Business was going from strength to strength with work now booked over six months ahead. The type of work was becoming more varied and my five years of apprenticeship came in very useful. I had tackled just about every scenario in my time since leaving school. But I realized I needed to push my boundaries a little, so I invested in some training, firstly with a company offering a new roofing product which I could see had potential. The product is used on flat roofs and involves a rubber coating which carries a 20-year guarantee. This was a product which was specific to me in my area of work and brought a lot of new business.

More recently I have taken further training and have become an agent for another new product. I have been accepted as an installer for the Guardian Warm Roof system, something becoming very popular for people with glass or plastic conservatory roofs.

This product is pre-formed and is designed specifically for each customer and means once cold conservatories can be incorporated into homes as another useable room despite the weather. 

As work continues to expand I have taken on two yards in which to house equipment and materials. My growing business has been aided by my desire to use social networking and other modern-day tools to spread the message.

Facebook enables me to highlight some of my bigger projects and my mobile phone means I am available at all times to help answer queries and to take bookings.

I am aided in my work by my wife Emma and my father and father-in-law who help out when asked.

Liam.