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Melquiades Cervantes: From the Ground Up

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

For Melquiades Cervantes, a career in roofing didn’t begin with a long-term plan—it started with a single opportunity that gradually turned into something more. “I was looking for a job in 2006 and my brother was working for a roofing company at the time,” he recalls. “He brought me an application and I filled it out and got hired. That’s really how I got started in the industry. It was a simple decision that has become something far greater.”

Over the years, Melquiades gained plenty of hands-on experience in roofing, but it was the smaller, everyday interactions with his neighbors that ultimately shaped his path forward. “After a while, people started asking me about repairing their roofs,” he says. “I had friends who were very good at their work, but they didn’t want to deal with more customers or take on that responsibility. So, I would talk to the homeowners, find out what was wrong and have my crew take care of it.”

As those early jobs turned into steady referrals, the idea of starting his own company became more realistic and enticing. “People started recommending me to their friends, and little by little it kept growing,” he says. “That’s when I realized there was a good opportunity to start my own business.”

Melquiades officially launched Mel’s Roofing in 2019, building on the relationships and experience he had developed over more than a decade in the roofing industry. Today, he operates the business from his home in Livermore, where he has lived since the mid-1990s. “It’s very peaceful here,” he says. “I feel safe and it’s a calm community. It has been a good place for me and my family.”

Melquiades has been married for 10 years and has four children. His oldest son now works alongside him, which reflects the close relationship he has with his family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active with his wife. “We like going to the gym, hiking and camping,” he details. “I enjoy being in nature and just relaxing whenever I can.”

As Mel’s Roofing continues to grow, Melquiades says the philosophy behind his business comes down to taking responsibility and doing the job the right way. “I always tell my crew to do things right the first time so we don’t have to go back. That’s important—not just for the work, but for the customer as well. You want to make sure it’s done right so they can trust you.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Italy.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: A little bit of both.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: Chivas de Guadalajara.

Q: What’s the most unusual food you’ve eaten?
A: Rattlesnake. It tasted like fish.

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: Buy an RV and travel around the United States.