George and Cheryl Brugh

Vice president and secretary

Bee-Line Roofing Co.

P.O. Box 204, Astoria

Storms have been battering North Coast residents’ roofs since there have been North Coast residents. One of those first settlers to this area started the Bee-Line Roofing Company in 1888 and the Brugh family has carried the roofing craft for generations. Experience and expertise are important commodities when applied to that roof over our head. Their service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (503) 325-3701 and (503) 338-8193.

What do you do?

George: “We do roofing for commercial and residential homes of all kinds, from small repairs to complete tear-offs and reroofs. We also roof new construction. We can offer sheet metal work and crane service and can work with metal roofs. We specialize in high-wind protection and offer 130 mph composition using 30 to 50 year architectural shingles. I have found that the best shingle for this area is Malarkey Legacy because of its polyester liner. It is more durable than fiberglass. To ensure high-wind protection all of the shingles are installed with six hand-driven hot dipped galvanized nails per shingle. I will only use the best materials and employ trained professional roofers.”

Cheryl: “We also install continuous gutters, skylights and work with the removal of chimneys. And we guarantee that our workmanship is a cut above the rest.”

How did you get started with this company?

George: “I have been roofing since I was 15, when I started 29 years ago. I am Brugh III. I took over the work from my dad, who still does the paperwork and pays the bills, 10 years ago. Dad bought it from his dad who bought it from the founding Hansen family in 1964.”

What is your volume of business?

George: “Not too bad. We stay busy. We have a good following in town because we have a reputation for good quality. We definitely have more business in the summer months but we also get a lot of emergency calls during the stormy season. I will work on seven to nine roofs per month in the summer and only one or two in the winter. That number varies with the scope of the job. Roofers popped up all over after the storm of ’07, and have since left. I am getting a lot of work repairing their mistakes.”

Cheryl: “We get a lot of repeat business from people with more than one residence, like rentals. We do a lot of work for Easom Property Management, CPS and Sowins Realty.”

What is your strategy for coping with the recession?

George: “We are diversifying. A business in this area, especially during this economic climate, needs to shine at many things. We now install rock walls, fencing and pole buildings. I have also lowered our labor costs to compensate for rising material costs. We also ensure that people get the best job in town, more than just what is required for warrantee.”