Richard Prunier, founder of Northeast Home & Energy, has an intuitively indicative hallmark of old-school American craftsmanship; in this case, it’s his trademark New England accent that says, “I’m a man who stands by his work” without the need to utter an assurance to the contrary.

Founded in April 1980 in North Grafton, Mass., just outside Worcester in the center of the state, the company emerged during the energy crisis of the 1970s with a singular goal: to help homeowners lower heating costs.

Over the decades, that original vision evolved into a full-service operation specializing in roofing, siding, windows and insulation for residential customers. Today, with 15 employees and two locations, the family-owned firm stands as a model of quality, transparency and community commitment for roofing professionals across the region.

Prunier described that the firm’s early years were marked by resourcefulness and a deep commitment to customer care. Operating out of a modest facility on Route 9 near Shrewsbury, his hands-on approach set the tone for a company that would later distinguish itself by balancing cost and quality.

“We do it one way: We do it the right way,” he remarked in that quintessential, no-nonsense New England vernacular.

“We’re not the cheapest, but there’s no way we’re the highest priced — our pricing reflects a commitment to doing the job correctly, so it’s good for 50 years,” he added.

Prunier started the business at age 26, inspired by his work with Home Energy Works, which focused on energy conservation products.

“I pretty much listened to what the people were asking for,” Prunier said. “They needed more than just energy efficiency — they needed a reliable roof, quality windows and siding that could stand the test of time.”

At first, the company specialized in installing insulation and storm windows, which appealed to homeowners facing rising energy costs. When clients asked for roofing services to complement these energy-efficient upgrades, Prunier adapted to fulfill demand, securing Northeast Home & Energy’s position in the competitive New England market.

A New Generation Takes the Helm

In November 2012, after a brief career in finance, Prunier’s son, John, joined the business, signaling a generational shift.

Fresh from college and eager to break away from spreadsheet monotony, John enthusiastically embraced the family business.

“If I hadn’t made that switch at that point, I would have just stuck to finance,” he said.

His decision was not just a career pivot but a strategic move that revitalized the company’s approach to growth and innovation.

John’s role grew rapidly from a jack-of-all-trades to a leader focused on production, operational efficiency and customer relations. He has been instrumental in integrating new technology into the business.

For example, when it comes to estimating and measuring, Northeast Home & Energy leverages digital tools such as Hover to enhance accuracy and customer visualization.

“Every appointment, we order a measure, and for those customers who can’t quite picture the end result, we take a picture and upload it to show what their new roof will look like,” John explained.

Northeast Home & Energy provides a free roof to a veteran each year as part of its community engagement initiatives.

Diversification And a Commitment to Quality

It’s more than technology that differentiates Northeast Home & Energy. Over the years, the company has diversified its offerings. Today, its work is divided roughly equally among roofing, windows and a mix of siding, doors and insulation — services that address the entire building envelope. The company handles nearly 95% residential projects and about 5% commercial work, focusing on replacing old roofs rather than new construction.

Prunier recalls the gradual evolution of the company’s service lines.

“We started with energy conservation products and then naturally moved into windows and siding because that’s what our customers were asking for,” he said.

The evolution continued as the roofing industry itself underwent significant changes. Today, as a GAF Master Elite Contractor, it offers a 50-year warranty on labor and materials — a promise that father and son believe sets the firm apart from many competitors.

John adds that the company’s growth strategy has always been about doing what’s right for the customer rather than chasing the lowest price.

“Transparency is key,” he said. “We want our customers to know exactly what they’re getting. By being upfront and consistently doing the right things, we build trust that lasts for decades.”

Strategic Growth in a Changing Market

Northeast Home & Energy’s success is built on deliberate strategies to spur growth while maintaining the company’s core values. A robust online presence, including search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising and active social media engagement, has helped the firm reach new customers. Traditional marketing efforts like direct mail, home shows and participation in local networking groups continue to complement its digital strategy.

Partnerships play a critical role as well. The company has maintained a longstanding relationship with Beacon, its go-to supplier for roofing products, and with GAF, which has recognized its quality by awarding it Master Elite Contractor status.

“The ongoing support from Beacon and GAF has helped our company grow and support our customers,” Prunier noted.

These partnerships offer premium materials and strengthen the company’s reputation in a sector that continually grapples with increasing material costs and intense competition. John emphasized that Northeast Home & Energy is continuously seeking operational improvements.

“We’ve switched to AccuLynx this year for our customer management system, and while there’s a learning curve, it’s already showing benefits in our day-to-day operations,” he said.

Community Engagement and Commitment to Safety

For Northeast Home & Energy, business success is closely tied to community involvement. The company has made a point of giving back through initiatives like its annual free roof program, which started as a benefit exclusively for veterans.

Recognizing that service extends beyond the commercial sphere, the program has evolved into “Hometown Heroes,” now open to first responders and educators.

“We do a free roof for a veteran every year,” Prunier explained. “Now we’re expanding that to include other community heroes — people who have given a lot to our country or their community and are in need.”

Northeast Home & Energy demonstrates its dedication to service through a wider commitment to its values. This includes stepping in when a contractor leaves a customer without assistance and guaranteeing that every roofing project is completed safely and accurately.

“Customer service is at the heart of what we do,” Prunier said. “It’s not just about roofing — it’s about taking care of people.”

For a small but dedicated team, that means treating every project as if it were a family matter, including a commitment that workers return home in one piece.

In an industry where safety is paramount, Northeast Home & Energy leaves no stone unturned. The company adheres strictly to OSHA guidelines, provides regular safety training and ensures that every crew is equipped with top-of-the-line protective gear.

“Safety is a top priority,” John said. “We bring in reps for the safety equipment and make sure every roofer has their own harness and anchor.”

On-site supervision is equally rigorous, with project managers and lead installers monitoring each job for quality and compliance.

“We invest in our people because we know that quality workmanship starts with a well-trained team,” Prunier said.

Differentiation in a Consolidating Industry

In a market characterized by consolidation and fierce competition, Northeast Home & Energy distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to integrity and quality. The roofing industry in New England is highly competitive, with large national franchises often outspending smaller, family-owned firms. Yet Prunier remains confident in his company’s approach.

“The consolidation of the roofing industry does raise some concerns,” he acknowledged. “But being a family-owned business means we have a personal stake in our work and our community that bigger companies simply can’t match.”

His son echoed that sentiment: "We want to be as transparent as possible with our customers and consistently do the right things. By building that trust and maintaining a strong reputation, we continue to attract both new and loyal customers.”

For Northeast Home & Energy, the focus is not on chasing trends or cutting corners but on delivering a consistently high level of service.

“There’s a lot of consolidation in the market, but I would rather grow the business organically,” John said. “Our vision is to be profitable and have enough cash flow to potentially acquire complementary companies, not to sell out to private equity.”

That long-term, sustainable approach ensures that Northeast Home & Energy will continue to serve its community with the same dedication that Richard instilled more than four decades ago.

Looking ahead, the company is also keeping an eye on emerging opportunities. Although solar and HVAC services are not yet a major part of its portfolio, the leadership is open to exploring these areas if they can add value for customers.

“We’re always evaluating new technologies and service lines,” Prunier said. “The key is to stay ahead of the curve without compromising on quality.”

The Pruniers’ focus on doing the right thing — from structuring their warranties to treating their employees and customers — reminds us that a business built on strong ethical foundations can not only survive but thrive amid change.

“The main thing is we want to be as transparent as possible with our customers and consistently do the right things,” John says.

*Correction: The name of the town the company first operated from is Shrewsbury, not Trueberry.