Roofer profile: Mark Passer – United Services Design + Build

Meet Mark Passer, a Nebraskan contractor using DaVinci products to help protect his community from hailstorms.

By the end of April this year, Omaha, Nebraska had already far exceeded the number of hailstorms seen in the area during all of 2023. The largest piece of hail was two-inches in size. Given this severe weather, Mark Passer, president of United Services Design + Build, can see up to 20% of his yearly business being storm related. That’s truly saying something, since his Omaha-based company handles both full interior and exterior home improvement projects.

Q: What’s the history behind your company?
A: We’re a generational company. My dad, Allen Passer, founded our company in 1966. It started as a siding and roofing business. I began working for dad when I was 14. Over the years I expanded our services to include replacement windows, painting, kitchen and bath remodeling and other features to create a full-service home improvement company.

Q: You also expanded the marketplace for your company, right?
A: Yes. We now handle the Omaha metro area and the mountain areas around Boulder, Colorado.

Q: Why are you recommending composite roofing to your customers in these marketplaces?
A: One of our guiding principles is to offer our customers long-lasting, maintenance-free and beautiful products. Impact-resistant composite roofing, particularly DaVinci Roofscapes products, check off all these boxes.

Q: About how many composite roofs does your company install each year?
A: Depending on the year, at least 10, but sometimes upwards of 25.

Q: There are many composite roofs in the marketplace. In your mind, what sets DaVinci apart?
A: When it comes to composite roofing, we only sell DaVinci. That’s because we appreciate DaVinci's track record in providing beautiful color and style options, along with a high-quality product and excellent customer service.

Q: Is your company installing snow guards with these roofs?
A: We offer snow guards as an upgrade with every DaVinci installation. They’re important in snowy geographic areas on composite roofing materials to help prevent avalanching as snows melt. Many homeowners choose to purchase them.

Q: What's your "secret selling weapon" for convincing a homeowner to purchase a composite roof?
A: There is no secret selling weapon in this business. There is a lot of competition out there. My success has come from believing in myself and my company, being truthful with the customer and taking the time to answer all of their questions and concerns. We're a local company and we treat our customers as neighbors. 

Q: Finally, imagine someone gave you an all-expense paid trip for two weeks. You leave tomorrow. Where would you go?
A: I'm hands-on in my business, spending most of my time in the field meeting with customers and overseeing jobs. So, as much as a free trip sounds great, I'd have to pass on leaving tomorrow. I do try to take some time off in the winter each year when we're not doing much exterior work. That’s when I enjoy heading to a warm location to hike, bicycle and relax on the beach.