Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Zimmerman.
Hi Stephen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Construction has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandfather was a residential builder, and my father was a master plumber, so growing up I spent a lot of time on job sites. At home, my dad always had a project going—whether it was building a porch, digging irrigation lines, or replacing a roof—and those hands-on experiences sparked my interest in construction at an early age.
I began my career at 18 framing houses, learning the fundamentals from the ground up. As my experience grew, I earned my South Carolina Residential Builder’s License in 2005 and went on to build several custom homes. In 2012, I started a home inspection business in Charleston, which gave me a deeper, more technical understanding of how homes perform over time. During that period, one critical component consistently stood out to me as both essential and often overlooked—the roof.
When my wife and I decided to move our family back home to the Midlands, it felt like the right time to take everything I had learned and focus it into one specialty. Having replaced many roofs throughout my career, I founded my roofing company with the goal of doing things the right way—educating homeowners, providing honest assessments, and delivering quality workmanship. Helping clients protect their homes through roof replacements has been, without question, the most rewarding chapter of my career so far.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road worth traveling is completely smooth, and my journey has been no exception. Every stage of my career has come with challenges, but the biggest test by far was the market crash in 2007. Like many in the construction industry, I experienced firsthand how quickly circumstances can change and how important it is to adapt, stay disciplined, and make hard decisions during uncertain times.
That period became one of my greatest learning experiences. It forced me to sharpen my skills, manage risk more carefully, and truly understand the value of perseverance. Over the past 27 years, I’ve learned that struggles are not setbacks if you’re willing to learn from them—they are opportunities to grow stronger and wiser.
Staying focused and working hard has always been essential, but my faith has also played a major role. Knowing that Jesus is with me through every step—especially during the difficult seasons—has given me perspective, stability, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of Palmetto Peak Roofing LLC . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is built around one simple idea: do the right thing, do it well, and treat people the way you’d want to be treated. We specialize in residential roofing, with a strong focus on roof replacements, repairs, and inspections. Because of my background as a licensed builder and home inspector, we don’t just replace roofs—we help homeowners truly understand the condition of their roof and how it protects their entire home.
What sets Palmetto Peak Roofing apart is a hands-on, quality-first approach. Every client works directly with me as the owner, and I am present on every job site from start to finish. By intentionally focusing on quality over volume, I avoid the overwhelming overhead that larger companies carry, which allows me to pass real savings on to my customers—often beating competitors’ quotes without cutting corners.
We use high-end, name-brand shingles and stand behind our work with strong warranties, because a roof should be built to last, not just to look good on day one. That said, appearance still matters, and we’re known for delivering clean, sharp-looking roofs and leaving job sites spotless when the work is complete. Homeowners regularly comment on the care we take to protect their property and the attention to detail throughout the process.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve earned in our community. Roofing is a major investment, and clients want confidence in both the product and the person installing it. Our reputation is built on honesty, craftsmanship, clear communication, and follow-through. What I want readers to know is that our company isn’t built on volume—it’s built on values. Every roof we install is treated as if it were our own.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What truly makes me happy is my family—my wife, Loren, and our son, Luke. They are my everything and the foundation behind everything I do. One of my favorite memories is that my wife went into labor the day before my birthday. I jokingly told her that if she could wait until the next day, she’d never have to buy me a birthday present again.
At 8:27 a.m. the following morning, on my 41st birthday, God gifted us with the most beautiful little boy. That moment put everything into perspective for me. My family is the reason behind my drive, my gratitude, and my happiness. I’m incredibly blessed, and I don’t take that blessing for granted.
Pricing:
- Every roof is different. Takes a different amount of material and labor so I can’t give a $ amount for a roof. It takes a true takeoff each time to give an estimate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palmettopeakroofing.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B9gGWBvv2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
