Our story
NuShake Roofing has been roofing California homes since 1976. Doug Heath founded the business that year as Doug Heath Roofing and built its reputation one roof at a time. The company's specialty in shake roofing (split-wood cedar shingles) eventually gave it the name it still carries: NuShake.
In 2025, Doug sold the company to Brian Espindola. Brian took over as owner-operator under his own California C-39 license, CSLB #1142280. He runs NuShake from the same Ripon yard and serves homeowners across the Central Valley, the East Bay, and the Sacramento metro. In 2026, the company enters its 50th year on California roofs.
The company timeline — 1976 to 2026
- 1976Founded by Doug HeathDoug Heath starts the business as Doug Heath Roofing, working Central Valley homes.
- Early yearsDoug Heath Roofing becomes NuShakeThe company's shake-roofing specialty gives it a new name. The exact year is lost to the old job files — the name stuck.
- Decades onA Valley fixture under DougNuShake roofs homes across the Valley and Northern California, one job and one referral at a time.
- 2025Doug sells; Brian Espindola takes overBrian becomes owner-operator under his own license, CSLB #1142280. Doug moves on to a new venture in roofing supply.
- 2026The 50th yearSame name, same trade — a new generation on the roof.
Fifty years, one trade
Here is the short version — the one worth quoting:
The 50-year mark
Roofing companies rarely last fifty years. The work is hard, and the names on the trucks change every decade. NuShake is the exception. Founded in 1976, it is still roofing California homes in 2026 — its 50th year — under an owner young enough to climb every roof he quotes. The license on today's contracts is Brian Espindola's own. The half-century of roofs behind it belongs to the company. Homeowners get both: a business that has outlasted most of the roofs it replaced, and an owner who still answers the phone.
Brian Espindola's story
Brian did not start in the office. He started on a tear-off crew at 18 — physically the hardest job on any roofing job site. He learned what goes wrong with roofs from the bottom up.
By 20 he was leading a crew. By 21 he had moved into sales as a lead salesman. At 23, he studied for and earned his own California C-39 contractor license. The same year, he took over NuShake Roofing as its licensed owner-operator.
That arc — tear-off to owner in five years — is rare. Most roofing owners either inherit a business or move in from outside the trade. Brian held every role on a crew before stepping into ownership. When he quotes your roof, he has personally done your job.
Brian's career arc
The handover: Doug Heath to Brian Espindola
Doug Heath ran the company for nearly fifty years. When he decided to sell in 2025, he sold it to a roofer, not an investor. Doug went on to his next venture in roofing supply; the company he built stayed in the trade.
Brian had done every job on a crew — tear-off, install, crew lead, sales — before stepping into ownership. He earned his own license through study and work, and took over NuShake Roofing as a licensed C-39 contractor under CSLB #1142280. The license is his; the legacy is the company's. Both show up on your roof.
Our leadership team
Why Central Valley & East Bay homeowners choose NuShake
Homeowners here are not short on roofing options. Here is why they choose NuShake:
- Fifty years in business — NuShake has roofed California homes since 1976. The name on your contract has outlasted most of the roofs it replaced.
- Five manufacturer certifications — most local roofers carry one or two. NuShake holds five: CertainTeed Select ShingleMaster, GAF Master Elite, GAF Solar Certified, Owens Corning Preferred, and GAF Gold Elite.
- Owner answers personally — call NuShake and you reach Brian, a licensed C-39 contractor (CSLB #1142280), not a call center or a sales rep.
- Owner on every job — Brian's career arc means he has personally done your job. He knows what to look for on a tear-off and what a bad install looks like from the inside out.
- Trade-grown owner — Brian came up through every position on a crew before earning his own license. When something goes wrong, you are calling the owner who has personally done the work.
- Insulation and skylights — NuShake offers both. That makes us one of the few roofers in our service area who can handle the full building envelope (the shell that keeps weather out) in a single visit.
Our certifications
- CertainTeed Select ShingleMaster — factory-trained for CertainTeed shingle systems. Enhanced warranty on qualifying installations.
- GAF Master Elite — top 2% of contractors in North America. Manufacturer-backed warranties and proven installation quality.
- GAF Solar Certified — factory training for solar roofing installations. Brian's team handles solar-ready roof systems.
- Owens Corning Preferred — OC-authorized installer with access to OC material warranties.
- GAF Gold Elite — additional GAF tier reflecting contractor performance and training standards.
Get a free inspection
Every inspection is free. Brian or a senior member of the team walks your roof, documents findings with photos, and delivers a written report. No obligation. No pressure. Just an honest assessment of what your roof needs.
Call us directly at (209) 253-0506 or fill out the form on our contact page.