Hiring the right roofing contractor in New York or Connecticut comes down to a short list of questions: Are they certified by the manufacturers whose products they install? Do they pull the permit, or leave that to you? Do they install every component the system requires — or just what shows from the street? And when something goes wrong, is there a warranty behind the work?

Those aren’t marketing questions. In a region where freeze-thaw cycles, nor’easters, and fall windstorms put roofs through real punishment, the answers matter. Here is how Gunner Roofing approaches every job.

Manufacturer Certification — and Why It’s Not All Equal

Roofing manufacturers run contractor certification programs to protect their products’ performance. An uncertified crew that skips underlayment specs or misses a flashing detail can void a shingle warranty — which means the homeowner is left without coverage at the worst possible moment.

Gunner holds GAF Master Elite® 3-Star President’s Club status. GAF Master Elite is a designation fewer than 3% of roofing contractors nationally qualify for, per the GAF Master Elite program. The 3-Star President’s Club tier recognizes sustained performance across volume, training, and quality metrics — it is not awarded to contractors who simply pass an initial application.

That certification unlocks the full GAF warranty tier, including the Golden Pledge® and Silver Pledge™ extended warranties — available as opt-in upgrades on qualifying jobs, not automatically applied to every project. On GAF roof installations, Gunner specs the full qualifying system: GAF LayerLock™ shingles installed to the required four-nail pattern, GAF Starter Strip at both eaves and rakes, qualifying ridge cap shingles, qualifying roof deck protection, and proper attic ventilation. That complete assembly is what makes a roof WindProven®-eligible and unlocks enhanced warranty coverage.

Gunner is also a DaVinci Roofscapes Masterpiece Contractor and a Brava Roof Tile Preferred Contractor for homeowners who want synthetic slate or composite shake. And Gunner is a member of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB) for authentic wood-shake installations.

The Permit — Pulled on Every Job

Some contractors leave permit procurement to the homeowner, or skip it quietly to move faster. Gunner handles the building permit — pulling and managing the permit application — on every project, in every case. Permitting is included.

This matters in Westchester County and Fairfield County particularly. Both regions include historic districts, older housing stock, and municipalities with active code enforcement. A permit creates an inspection record, ensures the work meets the adopted building code, and protects the homeowner’s ability to sell or insure the property. A roofing job without a permit is a liability the homeowner carries indefinitely.

What “Full Replacement” Actually Means

A common gap in roofing work is partial installation — shingles swapped, but the underlayment, ice-and-water shield, flashings, and ventilation left as-is. In NY/CT, that shortcut tends to surface at the worst time: mid-January, after an ice dam has had three weeks to work.

Every Gunner roof replacement includes:
– Ice-and-water shield installed to meet or exceed code minimums
– Leak barrier run through all valleys
– Step and counter-flashing at all penetrations — dormers, chimneys, skylights, and wall terminations
– Proper attic ventilation addressed and corrected

Beyond the roof deck, Gunner addresses all three attic layers — air sealing, insulation, and ventilation — and performs the air-sealing and insulation work itself, not just an assessment. A replacement that ignores the attic often repeats itself within a decade.

Scheduling Around the Weather

Fall in NY and CT is notoriously volatile. A clear morning can turn into a fast-moving front by afternoon, and an open roof deck in a rain event is a significant risk to the structure below.

Gunner tracks weather forecasts and sequences roofing projects to minimize open-deck exposure — the deck is not left open through a forecasted rain event. That level of scheduling discipline is routine practice, not an upgrade.

Storm Damage Inspections — When You Need One

If you’ve had a significant wind event or hail storm, knowing whether your roof actually sustained damage is the first step. On request — for example, as part of a post-storm quote — Gunner performs a comprehensive inspection covering field shingles, ridge caps, valleys, metal flashing at chimneys and dormers, gutters and downspouts, and all penetrations including skylights and vents. This is offered on request and is not automatically part of every visit.

Licensed, Insured, and Bonded in NY and CT

Gunner is fully licensed, insured, and bonded in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. For homeowners, that combination means the contractor carries liability coverage and workers’ compensation, and that the license has been issued and maintained by the relevant state authority — not self-reported.

Getting a Quote

Gunner offers a free, no-obligation estimate — both an on-site estimate and a free online satellite quote at GunnerRoofing.com. If you’re heading into winter with questions about your roof’s condition, fall is the right time to get clarity before freeze-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does GAF Master Elite status actually mean?

GAF Master Elite is a contractor certification that fewer than 3% of roofing contractors nationally qualify for, per the GAF program. To earn it, a contractor must be properly licensed, carry adequate insurance, have a proven reputation, and commit to ongoing training. The 3-Star President’s Club level adds sustained performance metrics on top of that baseline. For homeowners, it means the contractor can offer enhanced warranty options — including the Golden Pledge® and Silver Pledge™ — that are unavailable through non-certified roofers.

Does Gunner pull the building permit?

Yes. Gunner handles the permit application on every project, in every case. The permit is included in the job — homeowners do not need to manage that process themselves.

What’s included in a full roof replacement with Gunner?

Every Gunner roof replacement includes ice-and-water shield to code minimums, leak barrier through all valleys, step and counter-flashing at all penetrations (chimneys, dormers, skylights, vents), and proper attic ventilation. Gunner also addresses attic air sealing and insulation directly — not just as an assessment or referral.

Can Gunner inspect my roof after a storm?

Yes, on request. Gunner offers post-storm inspections covering field shingles, ridge caps, valleys, metal flashing, gutters, downspouts, and all penetrations. This is offered as part of a storm-damage quote visit.

What shingle brands does Gunner install?

Gunner’s primary shingle lines are GAF Timberline® HDZ® and UHDZ®, Owens Corning Duration and Oakridge, and TAMKO Heritage. For homeowners interested in premium alternatives, Gunner also installs DaVinci Roofscapes composite slate and shake, Brava Roof Tile composite profiles, and authentic wood shake through its CSSB membership.

Is Gunner licensed in both New York and Connecticut?

Yes. Gunner is fully licensed, insured, and bonded in both New York and Connecticut (and New Jersey). Work in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT — Gunner’s primary service areas — is performed under the relevant state and local licensing requirements.