Community Highlights: Meet Ignacio Gutierrez of Avant-Garde Roofing & Gutters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ignacio Gutierrez. 

Hi Ignacio, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in the roofing industry for the last 23 years, wearing multiple hats. I started 23 years ago the next day I arrived to the USA, migrating from Venezuela and all of its political unrest; father of 3 small babies and “recently” married. I started as an installer up on a tile roof in Arizona with no training… Months later, I learned that there were MANY things I needed to learn and to do well… In 2004 I moved to NC and started working as a project manager for a very large roofing corporation. Four years later, I was managing 5 residential departments… Four years later, I started working in sales, which I loved because it gave me the opportunity to help people and educate them about their roofing needs. 

In March of 2016, I was called into the office and let go that same day. No questions asked, no interest in hearing me either… But I have learned over the years that often (if not always, there are better opportunities and blessings that come from what initially appears to be a setback. 

During the next 5 months, I learned a portion of the roofing business that I had zero knowledge or training with the corporation I used to work for (helping customers that have real, significant storm damage). In September, after much prayer and consultation with friends and family, I decided to open my own company. That same day, I got 3 contracts!!! It was as if God was telling me: “Do not be anxious, be patient; I am with you, everything will be alright!”. 

I am now so happy to be able to provide the same (or better) level of quality service that I was providing before with the advantage of being able to help people and not be concerned or the “big boss” watching over the profit number… 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s never a smooth road, is it? The day I made the decision, I got 3 contracts. I still didn’t even have a company name! I had to come up with a name, register a company, get certifications, credit lines through vendors, crews to install my roofs, advertising materials…. and MUCH more 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Avant-Garde Roofing & Gutters LLC?
In a nutshell, I LOVE to help people! So, I love the fact that I can now look at somebody’s roof, assess it and see if they need help from their insurance company (in which case, we do all the “heavy lifting” and do all insurance-related work so that the customer doesn’t have to go through that painful process). If they don’t have storm damage, but they still need a new roof, I can then provide a VERY reasonable quote (sometimes 2, 3, 4, or even 5 thousand dollars less expensive than big corporations with huge overheads). Because of my years in the industry, I have the highest credentials with the leading shingle manufacturers, so my contracts offer the highest levels of warranties there are. 

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Word of mouth, referrals, recommendations, media posts… 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.avant-garderoofing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avant.garde_roofing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avantgarderoofing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-gutierrez-b7158455/