REPUTABLE ROOFING COMPANY BASED IN BISHOP AUCKLAND

In the early 1990s, my dad, Colin, and my uncle Norman decided to strike out on their own after years of working in the roofing trade. They started M&B Roofing, specialising in fibreglass flat roofing—a relatively niche but growing area at the time. Both had honed their skills working for a company called BAFF All Over England, particularly in the southeast. Despite their ambition and expertise, the early '90s recession hit them hard. As a young business without the resources to weather the storm, they had to close their doors. But Colin wasn’t one to give up easily. He continued working in the roofing trade for others, gathering more experience and determination for his next venture. Years later, armed with grit and a bit of luck, Colin gave it another go—this time under the name CJ Roofing, using his initials, Colin Joseph. Starting with just a small van (which he couldn’t drive—he relied on family and friends as chauffeurs!) He turned my mum’s garden into his unofficial workshop. The setup may not have been glamorous, but it worked, and CJ Roofing slowly began to grow. At that time, I had just left the army and was determined not to follow in my dad’s footsteps. I even started an electrical course to chart a different path. However, one weekend, Dad asked for help when he was stuck without a driver. That one weekend turned into two decades—I’ve been here ever since! In 2005, after years of hard graft, Colin made me a partner, and together we invested in a small unit to expand the business. We worked tirelessly, six days a week, with Sunday mornings spent looking at new jobs before enjoying breakfast at the café and a few pints at the Belvedere WMC Club. By then, CJ Roofing had built a solid reputation, one we could rely on when the 2008 recession hit. This time, we didn’t just survive the economic downturn—we grew stronger because of it. Our hard-earned foundation carried us through, and we came out the other side a more resilient and confident team. In 2014, Colin officially retired, leaving me as the sole director. True to form, he didn’t exactly slow down—he now keeps himself “busy” managing two allotments! I wasn’t left on my own, though. My cousins Lee and Mark had joined the business, bringing their skills and work ethic to the team. Together, we’ve built on the lessons Colin taught us: work hard, stay honest, and never stop improving. With the skills and work ethic instilled in us by Colin, I'm confident we have become the strongest team over a wide range of roofing types anywhere. For a number of years now we have had Steffan (my brother-in-law) with us, adding his 30-plus years of experience in sheeting and cladding, steel erecting, and solar panel fitting, making our team even stronger. Paul, another cousin (Norman's son), who joined us recently, is as hard a worker as you can find. Bubba (Mark two), one of the nicest lads you can meet, much like Mark one!. And another hard worker. And our newest recruit, at least for now, as we are looking to expand Leon, who joined us after working for various different building companies. Though young and a bit of a perfectionist (which makes him, let’s say, methodical), he  is another great addition to our team. In the office, my sister Judith, who has become a huge asset to the business and support for me both in business and personally. Now Ally, my daughter, has joined us and is another great help. And maybe one day I'll ask my son if he can drive for me one weekend! Today, CJ Roofing is more than just a business—it’s a family legacy. From those early days in my mum’s garden to where we are now, we’ve always been committed to delivering the best roofing services to our community.