Century Roof And Solar vs Tesla
Alameda Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Century Roof And Solar brings 30 years of licensing and handles integrated roof-plus-solar projects, while Tesla focuses purely on solar with 19 years experience.
| Century Roof And Solar | Tesla | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 1.2 |
| Years Licensed | 30 years | 19 years |
| License # | 721502 | 888104 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Hayward, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Website | www.centuryroofandsolar.com | www.tesla.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Century Roof And Solar
Customers consistently highlight Century's thorough project evaluations, detailed explanations of options, and strong coordination across roofing and solar trades with clean jobsite practices.
Tesla
Tesla customers emphasize efficient installation timelines, smooth permitting processes, and tangible utility bill reductions following solar activation.
Key Takeaway: Century's reviews focus on comprehensive guidance and multi-trade coordination, while Tesla's reviews center on streamlined solar-specific execution and measurable energy savings.
Customer Reviews
Century Roof And Solar
It's good to know that there are still honest and hard working people that truly want to help their customers. The process of replacing my tile roof, gutters and insulation with Century Roof and Solar...
I contracted Century Roof and Solar to repair my roof. Tony (owner) visited my home for a consultation and was very thorough in explaining my options. It was a clear he was a man who knew his roofs. H...
Co-worker suggested Century Roof and Solar, went with the factory install. So I could transfer material and labor, to the new owner when I sell. Tony (owner) Pedro, Mark, Jose and to all the other wor...
Tesla
When I decided to switch to rooftop solar, I compared a few companies but Tesla Solar felt the most prepared to handle the project. They were very responsive to questions and their project manager act...
My family had rooftop solar installed earlier this year by Tesla Solar. The company did not oversell but provided the right system size for our usage. The installers worked carefully around our landsc...
These guys set up a solar array for my property and I’m pleased with the outcome. From start to finish they stayed on the timeline they originally promised, which I appreciated. I asked a lot of que...
Consider Century Roof And Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is older than 10 years or shows signs of wear, making a pre-solar assessment by an experienced roofer valuable to avoid reinstalling panels after discovering hidden damage
- ✓ You want one contractor accountable for both roof integrity and solar performance, eliminating finger-pointing if leaks develop near panel mounting areas
- ✓ Your project includes tile work, skylight installation, ridge venting, or structural repairs that require roofing trades beyond standard solar mounting
- ✓ You value detailed explanations and hands-on owner involvement during the decision process, particularly if you're weighing whether solar makes financial sense for your specific situation
Consider Tesla if...
- ✓ Your roof is relatively new and structurally sound, requiring only solar installation without roofing trades or assessment
- ✓ You prioritize streamlined solar-specific processes including permitting coordination, utility interconnection, and net metering setup that Tesla handles routinely
- ✓ Your situation involves challenging solar conditions like steep pitches, flat roofs requiring ballasted systems, or shading obstacles where dedicated solar expertise matters
- ✓ You want a contractor focused exclusively on maximizing energy production and utility bill reduction rather than managing multiple trade scopes
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Century how they coordinate roofing and solar warranties if both scopes are included, and whether one contract covers both or if they're separated
- → Ask Tesla what happens if roof repairs are discovered during solar installation—do they handle it, subcontract it, or require you to hire separately?
- → For either company, ask for references from projects matching your roof type and condition, particularly if you have tile, flat sections, or steep pitches
- → Confirm each company's timeline from contract signing through utility activation, including how permitting delays are communicated
The Bottom Line
If your project is solar-only on a structurally sound roof less than 10 years old, Tesla's specialized focus and efficient permitting processes make them the straightforward choice. However, if your roof needs replacement, shows wear, or you want roofing trades like skylight work or ventilation upgrades coordinated with solar, Century Roof And Solar's 30 years of roofing expertise and integrated service model eliminates the complexity of managing multiple contractors. Most homeowners facing combined roof and solar needs will find Century's one-contract approach worth their pricing, while those with newer roofs seeking pure solar efficiency should compare Tesla's specialized offering.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If your roof is over 15 years old or you've noticed any leaks or damaged shingles, having Century inspect it makes sense since they'll evaluate both roof condition and solar suitability together. Tesla can assess whether your roof will support panels, but structural or weatherproofing issues would require a separate roofing contractor. Getting a roof replacement before solar avoids the cost of removing and reinstalling panels later.
Century's pricing typically reflects their broader scope handling roofing trades alongside solar, not necessarily superior solar components or installation. Tesla specializes exclusively in solar with efficient processes that can translate to competitive pricing. If you need only solar on a sound roof, Tesla's focused approach may offer better value; if you need roofing work coordinated, Century's integrated service justifies their pricing structure.
Century can provide unified warranty coverage for roof integrity and solar performance since they control both scopes. Tesla warranties their solar equipment and installation, but roof penetrations and flashing fall under their mounting warranty, not comprehensive roof coverage. Ask each contractor specifically what's covered if a leak develops near panel mounting areas and who responds to service calls.
Century Roof And Solar is designed for exactly this scenario, coordinating roofing crews and solar installation under one contract with a single point of accountability. Tesla would require you to hire a separate roofer first, then coordinate timing so the roof is ready for their solar installation. Century's 30 years of roofing experience means they'll spot structural issues during roof replacement that affect solar placement.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 11, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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