Longtime local and well-respected roofer TJ Vandiver says Green Valley has been good to him and he wants to pay it forward.

The owner of TJ Vandiver Construction is working on a installing a brand-new roof, free of charge, for Green Valley residents Carlos and Betty Olson – but not because they can’t afford to pay for one themselves. The Olsons have been paying customers of Vandiver’s for several years.

Vandiver is doing the estimated $6,000 roof overhaul at no cost just because Carlos is a really good guy, neighbor and community member.

“This is just a great opportunity to give to somebody in the community that gives a lot of himself in Continental Vistas by helping everybody there,” said Vandiver. “Over the years we’ve done repair work on it here and there, but he’s never wanted to do the whole roof. So, I decided we’d give him one.”

The Olson’s, both 83, hail from Minnesota and have been Green Valley residents for 25 years. They currently reside on Pairaiso Place in Continental Vistas. Carlos is retired from IBM and Betty from JC Penny.

Carlos said they contribute to service-focused organizations such as the local food bank, White Elephant and Friends in Deed. However, most of their volunteer work and donations are aimed at Desert Hills Lutheran Church where they’ve been loyal members for two decades.

“I hear a lot of good things about Carlos from my customers,” said Vandiver. “I don’t look at this as a freebie. I look at this as a payback for what he does for his community.”

Carlos is also quick to offer a helping hand with a repair project when he can, or recommend someone else he knows who will do an excellent job for his friends and neighbors.

“If I can help them fix it, I do,” said Carlos. “Having lived in the area for so long I’ve dealt with plumbers and electricians and roofers - you name it. And, when somebody comes and does work for me and treats me fairly, then I recommend them.”

Vandiver is one of those services Carlos highly endorses to others. Vandiver has a solid reputation in Green Valley for being honest and getting the job done right. Carlos is well acquainted with TJ’s solid work ethic and said he’s referred him to many people.

“TJ always does a good job,” said Carlos.

But, Carlos isn’t just the referral guy. He’s also the go-to guy when snowbirds need someone to keep an eye on their seasonal homes.

“He’s known as the Mayor of Pairaiso Place,” said Mike Hanson, a part-time Green Valley resident who returns to Duluth, MN in the summer months. “He takes care of all the houses while we’re away.”

Hence, Vandiver and his crew (Andre Craig and William Bullers) are taking care of the Olson’s house, or at least their roof, with Vandiver’s trustworthy three-coat, eight-step process using high-quality products from Tucson Rubberized Coatings.

That process includes:

Step 1: Power Wash Step 2: Scrape Every Inch of the Roof’s Surface Step 3: Block Up the AC Units (so he can work beneath them) Step 4: Patch, Repair and Scuppers Step 5: Skylight Unit Repair and Maintenance Step 6: Apply Primer Coats of Tucson Rubberized Coating Step 7: Apply Two Top Coats of Tucson Rubberized Coating Step 8: Paint

And, of course clean up. Vandiver always leaves a site better than he found it.

TJ Vandiver Construction also has an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau and offers of five-year warranty on his work. Most roofers only offer a two-year warranty.

“If there’s a problem, I fix it,” Vandiver explained. “Green Valley is full of people who, if you do them right, they’re going to be happy and come back to you. So, don’t mess with them. Just do exactly what you say you’re going to do and everybody can stay happy.”

For more information about TJ Vandiver Construction visit Roofingbytj.com or call (520) 603-6718.

CUTLINES:

FREE ROOF 1 TJ Vandiver Construction crew members work on installing a free roof on Carlos and Betty Olson’s home as a pay-it-forward gesture for all the community service work the couple does. (Photo courtesy TJ Vandiver Construction.)

FREE ROOF 2 Carols and Betty Olson will receive a free roof on their home in Green Valley, not because they can’t afford it, but because they have done so much for the community. (Photo courtesy TJ Vandiver Construction.)

FREE ROOF 3

The Olson’s live at this home in Green Valley’s Continental Vistas that will soon be equipped with a new, $6,000 roof at no charge for being such giving community members. (Photo courtesy TJ Vandiver Construction.)