In the world of exterior restoration, timing is often the difference between a deal that closes and one that falls apart. For Cody Schenck, Owner of Big Cat Roofing, that urgency is familiar territory—and it’s exactly where his company steps in.

Big Cat Roofing is a St. Louis-based exterior restoration company specializing in roofing, siding, gutters, and full exterior projects, with a focus on storm damage and insurance claims. But for Cody, the work is about more than repairs. It’s about control in moments when homeowners and realtors often feel like they have none.

“Our role is to take what is usually a stressful, confusing process and turn it into a clean, controlled outcome for the client,” Cody says.

That clarity didn’t come from theory. It came from experience—14 years of it.

Before founding his company, Cody worked as a licensed insurance adjuster, handling thousands of claims. That background shaped the foundation of how they operate today.

“I spent 14 years as a licensed insurance adjuster before starting this company,” he explains. “I’ve handled thousands of claims, so I know exactly how the system works and where homeowners typically get shorted.”

That knowledge defines the company’s approach. “We don’t guess. We don’t hope. We know how to position a claim properly,” he says. “Our motto is ‘Protect Your Den.’ It’s not just branding. It’s how we operate. We treat every house like it’s ours.”

For Cody, the transition into roofing wasn’t accidental. Born and raised in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, his path wound through music, travel, early entrepreneurship, and insurance adjusting before settling into construction. He tried college briefly before realizing it wasn’t the right fit, later launching a window cleaning business and working as a catastrophe adjuster. Eventually, he found himself inside the roofing industry from multiple angles—first observing it, then working within it, and finally reshaping it.

“I knew since 2017 I would one day start my own roofing company with the knowledge and experience I’d gained,” he says. “It is a rewarding field to be in when you get to see the ‘helmet of a home’ go from compromised, old, damaged, and worn, to brand new, beautiful, and solid.”

That transformation is part technical, part relational. Big Cat Roofing often partners with realtors, stepping into deals where last-minute exterior concerns threaten to derail closings. In those moments, speed and clarity matter.

“We have been fortunate to partner with a few local realtors that have utilized us when a last-minute need for a project completion is needed for a sale,” Cody says. “We also help their buyers or sellers address potential concerns during the process of a home sale as to whether or not a new roof is needed or if an insurance claim may be warranted along with guiding them through the process if a claim is involved.”

What sets the company apart, he says, is the dual fluency in construction and insurance. “Particularly in the realm of insurance claims, most contractors are either good at construction or good at talking,” Cody says. “We’re built on both and backed by real insurance experience. We understand how to speak the language of insurance carriers, the paperwork, the pricing, the codes, and the build. That combination is rare.”

Internally, the structure is intentionally lean. Cody oversees strategy and client experience, supported by Mike (Project Manager), Jordan (Runner), Mark (Supplement Assistant), and Meghan (Financials). “We keep it lean on purpose for less confusion, more accountability,” he says.

But beneath systems and structure, Cody returns to relationships as the core driver. “I am most passionate about the relationships we get to build with the people we help and work with,” he says. “We are people who genuinely like people first and foremost.”

That mindset extends to how he defines success itself. “When someone hears ‘Big Cat Roofing’ and doesn’t even consider calling anyone else… that’s success,” he says.

Outside of work, Cody’s focus shifts to family life with his wife of 14 years and their three children, ages 13, 11, and 8. “We are big on experiences so we try to travel and create memories that way as much as we possibly can while we can,” he says.

As the company scales, the goal remains grounded: tightening systems and building a respected regional brand. Or, as Cody puts it, “All money ain’t good money.”

For realtors and homeowners alike, his message is simple. “If you have a deal and you’re unsure about the roof or exterior, bring us in early,” he says. “We’ll give you straight answers and help you control the situation before it becomes a problem.”