Meet The Family-Owned Contractor Keeping The Roof Over New Canaan's Head

Prizio Roofing & Siding is more than a business; it’s a family. Helmed by owner and president Jonathan Prizio, the GAF-certified roofing company has roots that run deep in the New Canaan area, with nearly 50 years of experience in roofing and siding under the team’s collective belt. From roofing repairs and flat roofs to carpentry and chimney repair, Prizio Roofing & Siding knows its market and its community, operating on a basis of honest workmanship.

Patch: Tell us about the Prizio Roofing & Siding beginnings. What is the Prizio story?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: My father, John Prizio, started the company in 1968 after being laid off from his carpenter union job. He made flyers and went door to door until he got his first roofing job. He saw a need for honest, quality roofing work in Fairfield County and provided it to his customers. My father built a successful roofing company doing business the right way. He made it his mission to put customer service above everything else, do business by the book and not cut corners. Customer satisfaction is always the number-one priority at Prizio Roofing & Siding.

Patch: The family-owned business has been in operation for nearly 50 years. How has it transformed since its establishment?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: In the beginning, our focus was residential roofing services, including new roof installations and roof repair work. A few years later, we expanded our services to add gutters and siding. The key to our business is staying true to our roots and specializing in a few select areas of expertise: roofing, siding and gutters. Unlike other home improvement companies, we don’t spread ourselves too thin as that is when quality suffers. We use top quality materials, focus on attention to detail and personalized customer service. Our trained professionals are experts in their trade and know the roofing, siding and gutter installation process inside and out. When you choose Prizio, your roof will be done the right way. If a company claims to do everything from roofing and windows to bathroom remodels, chances are one of those areas will lack in quality. My father taught me to do a few things exceptionally well rather than being mediocre at many things, and this is how our family business has operated for the past 49 years.

Patch: What is the future outlook for the roofing company? What’s next?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: We’re currently looking into solar products and engineered materials such as composite slate and tile. In addition to our core residential business, we’re incorporating more flat roof services for commercial properties such as flat roof coatings that can extend roof life and delay an immediate replacement. As we expand our services, our main focus will remain residential roofing, siding and gutter service, including all types of repairs and new installations.

Patch: How does Prizio Roofing stand out from other contractors?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: We’re a GAF certified roofing installer, which means the shingle manufacturer has rigorously vetted us, classified us a reputable company and we’re trained to properly install GAF roofing products. Through this certification, we can offer our customers an extended 50-year warranty on a new roofing installation, which covers both material and labor. We have an A+ rating with the BBB, and when you choose us, you’ll work directly with the owner from start to finish. Unlike big companies, we’re not a sales machine and we don’t hire sales agents. Our goal is not to sell customers as many products and services as possible but to sell them what they want and what they need. We’re focused on running a professional and fair roofing business, offering top quality materials, honest workmanship and competitive prices.

Patch: What role does community play for Prizio Roofing?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: I’ve been fortunate to grow up in the wonderful town of New Canaan, so giving back to the community where I was raised is very important to me, as is charitable giving. This past Spring, we sponsored a New Canaan youth baseball team. My wife and I enjoyed attending the games and cheering on the players. We’ve also been proud to support local charities, such as the Food Bank, Inspirica, Young Women’s League of New Canaan and the American Cancer Society.

We also have some very exciting news to announce for 2017. We’ve partnered with No Roof Left Behind, and we’ll be providing a deserving Fairfield County family with a free roof this October! Our four finalists are from Stamford, Norwalk, Darien and Westport, and we’re asking the community to help us select the winner. Voting will take place September 14-28 on our No Roof Left Behind giveback page. Please read the stories and help a deserving, local family get a new roof by casting your vote. Follow us on Facebook for future announcements on the winner.

Patch: What steps should novices take in choosing a roofing contractor?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: I recommend that homeowners ask roofing contractors a few key questions before hiring them:

“Are you insured and licensed?”

Homeowners shouldn’t feel bad about asking their contractor for written proof of insurance and license. It is required by law and won’t be a problem for a reputable contractor. We encourage homeowners to ask for it. In fact, we provide all insurance and licensing documentation with our estimates.

“Are you a certified roofing installer?”

Make sure the company you hire is certified by the shingle manufacturer they are installing. Certification means they have gone through a rigorous vetting process and have not had any complaints or legal problems in the past. Hiring a certified installer also gives you peace of mind that the contractor is using quality materials and that your roofing system is being installed correctly, everything from the underlayment and ventilation to the ice shield and shingle installation.

“Will I deal directly with the owner?”

Make sure to get an understanding if you will be working with the owner or a sales agent. At Prizio Roofing, you will work directly with the owner from the initial estimate through the roof installation, and we don’t leave until the customer is satisfied. Sales agents have a reputation of over-promising and under-delivering, so be wary of high-pressure sales tactics.

“Can you share recent references?”

Make sure to do your homework on the roofing contractor by checking online reviews on Google, Facebook, Angie’s List, etc., and ask them to provide recent references. A reputable company will be more than happy to share this with you.

Above all, make sure you feel comfortable with the contractor before you sign a contract. Don’t let anyone pressure you — and trust your instincts.

Patch: How do you define success?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: The measure of a contractor’s success is not only building a profitable business but also maintaining a good reputation. My father always told me it takes thousands of customers to create a good reputation, and it only takes one complaint to destroy it. Honesty, quality materials and customer service is at the core of our business — and we never compromise on this.

Patch: Tell us about some of your proudest moments.

Prizio Roofing & Siding: Becoming a GAF-certified roofing contractor was a proud moment, as it’s an honor that only a handful of local roofing contractors have achieved. Also, teaming up with No Roof Left Behind for 2017 is an incredible opportunity to give back, and we’re honored to be selected as the exclusive Fairfield County region partner. After nearly 50 years in business, we’re glad to be paying it forward by giving away a free roof to a family in need this year!

Patch: What does a typical day look like for Prizio Roofing?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: Typical roofing jobs get started by 7:45 a.m. [or] 8 a.m. Before we begin a new job, I meet with the homeowner and we go over the plan ahead. First things first, I have a mandatory safety meeting with the crew and make sure everyone is clear on procedures before we start work. Safety is the backbone of a successful roofing project; if safety is being disregarded, there’s a good chance other things are too. We take care to protect the house and landscaping during tear-off, and we magnetically sweep for nails every day. I am in close contact with the homeowner throughout the job to apprise them of the progress and answer any questions. The job is not complete until the homeowner is 100-percent satisfied.

Typically, each week is slightly different depending on the schedule of roofing, siding and gutter projects. In addition to new roofing and siding installations, my week also includes giving estimates and completing repairs, such as weather-related shingle damage, installing new chimney flashing, roof leak repairs, fascia board repairs, skylight repairs, sealing chimneys and other repair services.

Patch: How can Patch readers reach out to you to learn more about Prizio Roofing & Siding?

Prizio Roofing & Siding: We’re located at 17 Danforth Dr. [in] New Canaan, Conn., 06840. Customers can reach us at (203) 322-9009 or info@prizioroofingandsiding.com, and we’re happy to arrange free estimates. Visit our website at www.prizioroofingandsiding.com for a full list of our roofing, siding and gutter services and to read our blog. For our latest updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Prizio Roofing & Siding