How Roofing PE Acquisitions End Badly

If you’re a roofing or home service owner thinking about selling in the next 1–5 years, this is required viewing. Tim and Gregg Schonhorn (Business Development Advisor, SF&P Advisors) unpack the real story behind platform roll-ups, the Minnesota Rusco / Nucco situation, AirPros, and why roofing is still 5+ years behind HVAC, plumbing, and electrical on the private equity curve.You’ll hear why some buyers are rock-solid long-term partners… and others are ticking time bombs built on ugly debt structures and bad covenants.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How roofing PE platforms are actually structured (and where they make their money)Why deals like Minnesota Rusco and AirPros went sideways – and what warning signs you can spot earlyHow storms, demand cycles, and “one huge year” really factor into your valuationThe difference between real platforms and “let’s bundle 10 shops and flip” con jobsHow to vet a buyer’s debt, covenants, and capital stack so you don’t get wiped out by their financingWhy integration (systems, CRMs, chart of accounts, handbooks, compensation) is what creates real enterprise valueHow culture, community reputation, and referrals quietly drive higher multiples for roofing businessesPractical steps to add 3–5% net and hundreds of thousands of EBITDA before you go to marketIf you want to protect your people, your brand, and your upside when you sell, this episode will give you the questions to ask and the traps to avoid.