NY Roofing - PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Sean Levine of NY Roofing. You can read the interview below, listen to the podcast or watch the recording.

Megan Ellsworth: Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Roofer of the Month podcast for October 2026. I'm your host, Megan Ellsworth and I have with me Sean from NY Roofing. Hi Sean, congratulations, you're Roofer of the Month! We're so excited to highlight NY Roofing and everything you do. To start us off, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about NY Roofing?

Sean: Thank you! I'm so excited.

My name is Sean Levine, and I'm the founder of NY Roofing. We are a multi-generational roofing company based in New York City. I'm also a licensed attorney and general contractor, both of which have really helped me focus on and navigate the roofing industry.

We're headquartered in Brooklyn at 553 Prospect Avenue and service all of New York City. Our primary specialty is flat roofing. From residential homes to commercial skyscrapers in Manhattan, we do it all. What we really love are classic New York properties like brownstones and townhouses that come with typical urban roofing challenges.

Many of these buildings are over 100 years old and have landmark requirements and preservation considerations. We'll get into that a little more later, but that's a little bit about me and the company.

Megan Ellsworth: Awesome. It's so cool that you used to be an attorney. What got you into roofing?

Sean: Right out of law school, I realized that while I still enjoyed being an attorney and remain licensed today, my real passion was entrepreneurship.

I remember going through a bit of an identity crisis and buying one of those career books on Amazon. It came with a workbook that had me rank the top things that mattered most to me. Things like changing the world, work-life balance and taking on challenges. When I completed the exercise, the result basically said, "You should be a business owner. You should be an entrepreneur."

At the same time, I knew I didn't want to spend my life sitting in an office doing paperwork. I wanted to be out visiting job sites, meeting people and solving problems.

A friend of mine was working for an exterior renovations company selling roofing, siding, windows and other projects. I learned the industry quickly, and before long my desire to build something of my own kicked in.

Construction also runs in my family. My grandfather worked in building, my mother still works in construction and I grew up around the industry. I decided it was time to take that background and create a roofing-specific business.

One of the biggest reasons I entered roofing was because I saw a huge need for quality work. Without trying to criticize competitors, I would see multimillion-dollar properties getting what amounted to temporary repairs. I saw people applying tar to roofs worth tens of millions of dollars and calling it a day.

There was clearly room for a company focused on doing things the right way. Roofing in New York is incredibly technical. You have building codes, regulatory agencies, landmark preservation requirements, consumer affairs regulations, environmental rules and much more.

A lot of people see all those challenges and run from them. For me, it was exciting. I enjoyed navigating those complexities. I realized there was a strong need for high-quality roofing services, and I decided I didn't want to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

Instead, I wanted to apply the same dedication I used to earn my bachelor's degree, master's degree and law degree toward mastering the roofing industry. That's what inspired me to start NY Roofing.

Megan Ellsworth: Amazing. That's honestly such a cool story. So many people fall into roofing and then it takes hold. It's kind of like Hotel California. You can check in, but you can't check out.

You also mentioned that NY Roofing specializes in historic flat roofing. Is that your primary service offering?

Sean: Absolutely. We handle all types of exterior renovations.

If you have a leak, waterproofing issue, or any kind of water intrusion coming from the exterior of your building, we're the company to call. We handle roofing, masonry, waterproofing and related exterior work.

One thing that makes us unique is that we don't send separate crews for every issue. The same team can identify a masonry problem and repair it, then immediately address a roofing issue if that's contributing to the leak.

For example, if we find water infiltrating through a masonry parapet wall, we can apply a breathable waterproofing coating. If the adjacent roofing membrane is also failing, that same crew can repair the flashing and roofing details at the same time.

Everything is handled under one roof, pun intended.

Ultimately, though, our bread and butter is working on historic brownstones and older properties. They're incredibly challenging, which makes them exciting. That's where our passion really lies.

Megan Ellsworth: That's awesome. What's a recent project you've completed that you're especially proud of?

Sean: We recently completed a landmark-preservation slate roof project in Sunnyside, Queens.

Even though I talk a lot about flat roofing, we also work on pitched roofs, shingles, slate, cedar roofing and more. This particular project was especially complicated because it involved an entire block of attached homes.

Every homeowner's roof connected to their neighbors' roofs, which meant replacing one roof inherently impacted adjacent properties. We had to carefully integrate into existing slate systems that were approximately 125 years old.

We worked with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and had to maintain the original appearance and character of the neighborhood. Finding replacement slate was a challenge because modern materials didn't match the weathered colors of the original roof.

I personally sourced slate from different parts of the country in order to match the faded greens, yellows, purples and reds found on the original roof. We brought samples to the commission, documented patterns and received approvals before work could begin.

Then there were all the permits, architects, expediters, building department approvals and copper work involved. For what was actually a relatively small roof, there was an enormous amount of planning and coordination required.

Sean: To answer your original question, that's one of the projects I'm most proud of because it was so challenging and so much fun. Being able to navigate all those requirements, get approval on the first attempt and successfully complete a historic slate roof restoration was incredibly rewarding.

What made it even more exciting was what happened afterward. Once the neighbors saw the finished project, they started calling us. They realized that not every roofing company could handle that kind of specialized work. Before long, we were roofing much of the block.

It was great because we were able to maintain consistency throughout the neighborhood rather than having one restored roof surrounded by mismatched systems. We also worked with the Landmarks Preservation Commission to secure approval for modifications to the gutter systems.

Instead of requiring expensive traditional copper gutters, we were able to use modern aluminum gutters that maintained the historic appearance while saving homeowners roughly $10,000 each. There were no corners cut. The systems still looked appropriate for the neighborhood, but they were far more affordable and maintainable.

That project was a lot of fun and definitely one of the highlights of recent years.

Megan Ellsworth: That is very impressive. Those landmark and historic projects are so involved and require so much attention to detail. The fact that you sourced matching slate from around the country is incredible. It definitely sounds like a project you should be proud of.

Sean: Thank you very much. It was definitely stressful at the time. It's much more enjoyable looking at it in the rearview mirror now that it's finished.

Megan Ellsworth: I bet. Now that it's over, you can appreciate it a little more.

What's something unique or quirky that your team celebrates? Maybe a tradition, milestone, ritual, birthdays, or something that makes your company culture special?

Sean: That's a great question.

One thing our team really enjoys is working on church roofs and other houses of worship. Those projects have become some of our favorites.

We provide complete roofing services, from repairs to full replacements on flat roofs, shingles, EPDM, TPO systems, skylights, gutters and more. When it comes to churches, though, we often find roofs that have been repaired over and over again for decades.

In New York City especially, it's common to see multiple roofing layers installed on top of one another over time. Many buildings have far exceeded what would be considered best practice today.

I often tell customers that repairing a roof that's already covered with layer upon layer of previous repairs is like putting a Band-Aid on top of another Band-Aid. Eventually you have to remove everything, repair the underlying issue and install a proper roofing system.

Churches often operate on tight budgets, so we work closely with them to find solutions that allow them to complete full replacements without sacrificing quality. We don't cut corners. We simply help them find a way to get the work done properly.

One of the most rewarding parts of those projects is the community connection. You're working with pastors, congregations and neighborhood organizations. Once the roofing project is completed, we often stay involved with the community.

For example, right now we're hosting back-to-school backpack giveaways. We fill backpacks with school supplies, bring in an ice cream truck, order pizza and create a fun event for local families. We also organize holiday toy drives and other charitable events throughout the year.

What's special is that we get to meet the people who use those buildings every day. Sometimes they're people who have lived with roof leaks and water stains for years, and now they can enjoy a dry, safe space again.

After a project is completed, we'll often ask the congregation if they'd like to partner with us on a community event. We've found that these opportunities allow us to give back while strengthening the neighborhoods we serve.

Surprisingly, some of those events have even generated media coverage. Local news stations have featured our community efforts, and months later we'll get calls from people who saw us on television and remembered what we did.

At the end of the day, what we celebrate most is doing quality work and supporting the communities around us.

Megan Ellsworth: I love that. Community really is everything. It's such a unique niche as well because churches and houses of worship often need assistance maintaining these older buildings.

Roofing isn't always easy, though. Can you share a challenge your team has faced and how you overcame it? What did it teach you along the way?

Sean: That's a great question. We’ve faced a lot of challenges over the years.

One that immediately comes to mind is COVID-19. Another was the labor challenges that followed during the Great Resignation. We've also navigated material shortages and supply chain disruptions.

There was a period during COVID when we couldn't even reliably source roofing screws. We effectively had to become our own supply house. We purchased and stored huge inventories of materials simply so we could continue serving customers.

Those were some incredibly difficult years.

But one challenge that stands out involved the early days of growing NY Roofing. When we entered the market, we wanted to provide premium-quality roofing services in neighborhoods that weren't necessarily accustomed to that level of investment.

Historically, many parts of Brooklyn, Harlem and other areas of New York had long been underserved. Roofing work often focused on temporary repairs rather than long-term solutions.

As neighborhoods grew and property values increased, there was still a gap between what customers expected to pay and what a proper roofing system actually cost.

We'd present a proposal for a full replacement, and someone might say, "I got another estimate for a fraction of that price."

Our challenge was helping customers understand that we weren't charging more because we wanted to. We were providing a completely different level of service and workmanship.

Over time, perceptions changed. Neighborhoods evolved, property values increased and more owners began demanding high-quality work. What was once considered a premium service became the standard people expected.

Looking back, I'm proud of the fact that we stayed committed to quality even when the market wasn't necessarily asking for it yet.

Sean: Another challenge that really stands out was COVID-19.

I remember being in Florida on vacation in early 2020 when we first started hearing about a virus spreading from overseas. Within a matter of weeks, New York City became the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States.

Governor Cuomo issued emergency orders shutting down most business activity. Suddenly, we had customers with active leaks, emergency issues and warranty concerns, but construction operations were being heavily restricted.

That's when the lawyer side of me really kicked into high gear.

We had customers calling, saying their roofs were leaking, water was entering their homes and they needed help immediately. At the same time, our crews were being stopped by police and inspectors asking why they were working.

So I began studying the executive orders in detail. I printed copies of the regulations and highlighted the sections that allowed emergency services. We asked customers to provide written statements describing the emergency conditions in their homes, whether it was water leaking into a children's bedroom or active damage occurring.

We assembled documentation packages that included photographs, customer statements, copies of the regulations and supporting evidence showing that these were legitimate emergency situations.

I essentially turned my roofing crews into mini-lawyers. They carried folders full of documentation to every job site.

When they were stopped by law enforcement or inspectors, they could present the paperwork and demonstrate exactly why the work qualified as an emergency service.

Because of that preparation, we were able to continue serving customers throughout one of the most difficult periods in New York City's history. We honored warranties, handled emergency repairs and protected homeowners when they needed it most.

I'm particularly proud that we never had a warranty we couldn't fulfill during that time.

Megan Ellsworth: That's pretty incredible. What a difficult period that was for everyone.

The fact that you were able to continue helping people and find a way to safely navigate those challenges is really impressive. That's definitely something to be proud of.

Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the future of NY Roofing? Are there goals you're working toward?

Sean: Absolutely.

One thing that excites me is continuing to take on increasingly complex projects. I'd like to do more work on skyscrapers and large-scale commercial buildings throughout New York City.

We don't have height limitations within our insurance coverage, so technically we can work on buildings of virtually any size. I'd love to expand further into that market and showcase the same quality craftsmanship on some of the city's largest and most visible structures.

At the same time, what continues to excite me every day is simply the nature of roofing in New York.

No two buildings are alike. Every project presents new challenges. You're coordinating permits, deliveries, neighbors, logistics, inspections and construction operations in one of the busiest cities in the world.

Sometimes you have limited street access. Sometimes you're working with attached buildings and neighboring property owners. Every project feels like solving a unique puzzle.

That challenge is something I genuinely enjoy.

Another goal of mine is to see NY Roofing recognized as one of the top roofing companies in New York City.

The student in me, the lifelong learner, wants to continue proving that through our work. Whether someone is searching online, asking an AI platform for recommendations, or researching contractors themselves, I'd love for NY Roofing to be recognized as one of the best choices available.

Not because we've been around the longest, but because we're constantly improving our processes, adopting new technologies and maintaining high standards.

That's one reason we're being very proactive about documenting our projects. We want customers to be able to see before-and-after photos, actual project locations and the quality of our work. We believe transparency helps demonstrate the value we provide.

Megan Ellsworth: That's awesome. I think that's an absolutely fabulous goal.

Sean, congratulations again on being Roofer of the Month. It's so well deserved. You and your team clearly work incredibly hard, and we're proud to highlight everything you're doing in New York.

Sean: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

I also want to thank the R-Club and everyone at RoofersCoffeeShop. The student in me is always learning. No matter how much experience you have, there's always something new to discover.

What you all have built is a community where contractors can share ideas, discuss best practices, learn about new products and stay current with industry trends.

I've learned from roofers across the country through the content you produce, and I'm sure others enjoy learning about what we're doing here in New York City as well.

I truly appreciate everything RoofersCoffeeShop does for the roofing and exterior renovation industries.

Megan Ellsworth: I love hearing that. It's always rewarding when the work you're doing is making a difference.

Thank you again, Sean and congratulations once more on being our October Roofer of the Month.

To all of our R-Club members, thank you for being part of this amazing community.

You can learn more about NY Roofing in their directory on RoofersCoffeeShop.com. Sean, what's your website?

Sean: It's NYRoofing.com.

Megan Ellsworth: Nice and easy! Be sure to check them out. And if you're in the New York area and need roofing expertise, you know who to call.

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time on another Roofer of the Month podcast. Congratulations again, Sean.

Sean: Thank you, Megan.

Megan Ellsworth: Well done. Here we go.