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Amy's Roofing and Solar vs First Response Solar
Sonoma Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Amy's Roofing and Solar handles both roofing and solar under one roof, while First Response Solar specializes exclusively in solar with three more years of licensed experience.
| Amy's Roofing and Solar | First Response Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 8 years |
| License # | 1070189 | 1039876 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Petaluma, CA | Sebastopol, CA |
| Website | www.amyrs.com | www.firstresponsesolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Amy's Roofing and Solar
Customers emphasize Amy's organized project management with daily photo updates, professional crews, and seamless coordination between roofing and solar work on combined projects.
First Response Solar
Customers highlight First Response's thorough consultation process, detailed system design explanations, and willingness to provide honest assessments including advising against solar when economics don't justify it.
Key Takeaway: Amy's reviews focus on communication and coordination efficiency across dual scopes, while First Response reviews emphasize technical consultation depth and long-term proactive system monitoring.
Customer Reviews
Amy's Roofing and Solar
I had my roof replaced last month and had an "insurance" deadline, that was extremely tight. Amy's roofing made it happen! From step one to the finished product they kept me extremely informed. I w...
Amy's Roofing and Solar is amazing. We had a leak in our roof (not one they installed!) and when we called for an emergency repair before a storm they were so responsive! The crew that showed up was ...
We had our home re-roofed, and an install of a solar system with powerwall. The team from Amy's was great to work with, and the system is working fabulously.
First Response Solar
We engaged the expertise of First Response Solar to troubleshoot and offer guidance regarding an inherited-leased system after purchasing our Sonoma home. Dylan and Chaz communicated regularly before ...
First Response Solar has exceptional customer care. I first used them to put on an array of solar panels four years ago and then a bank of back-up batteries last year. While we were away over the wint...
Did everything they said they would on time and on budget, not to mention being a nice couple of dudes. Excellent customer experience.
Consider Amy's Roofing and Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof needs replacement or significant repair before or during solar installation, and you want one contractor handling both scopes with unified warranty coverage
- ✓ You're planning a combined roofing and solar project and value having a single point of contact for design, scheduling, and any issues that arise
- ✓ You have an older or complex home where roofing and solar integration requires careful coordination, and want one team managing structural and electrical considerations
- ✓ You prefer working with a local Petaluma-based contractor who has demonstrated experience navigating insurance situations and providing daily photo updates throughout projects
Consider First Response Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is in good condition and your project is solar-only, allowing you to benefit from a specialist with eight years focused exclusively on solar installations
- ✓ You value exceptionally detailed consultation on system design options, including battery backup configurations and ground mount alternatives
- ✓ You want a contractor with a track record of proactive long-term system monitoring and ongoing support years after installation
- ✓ You appreciate honest assessments even if it means being advised that solar may not provide sufficient value for your specific situation, as multiple reviews mention this integrity
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering Amy's for solar-only work, ask how they structure projects when no roofing work is involved and what percentage of their current workload is solar versus roofing
- → If considering First Response and your roof may need attention within 10-15 years, ask which roofing contractors they regularly coordinate with for panel removal and reinstallation
- → Ask both companies about their specific experience with your preferred battery storage system if you're planning backup power
- → Request references from projects completed 3-5 years ago to understand their long-term support and system monitoring approach
The Bottom Line
Choose Amy's Roofing and Solar if your project involves any roofing work or if you want the simplicity of one contractor handling both roof and solar with unified project management. Their five years of experience is solid, and the integrated approach eliminates coordination headaches. Choose First Response Solar if your roof is sound and you're pursuing solar-only, where their eight years of specialized experience and reputation for thorough system design consultation provides meaningful depth. Both are properly insured, well-reviewed local contractors. The decision hinges on whether your project needs roofing expertise or benefits more from pure solar specialization.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially for solar-only projects. Eight years means First Response has navigated more utility policy changes, technology updates, and long-term system performance scenarios. However, Amy's five years is still substantial, and their roofing expertise adds value if your project involves both scopes.
If your roof needs work, using Amy's for both eliminates coordination problems, scheduling conflicts, and warranty confusion about where roofing ends and solar begins. If your roof is solid for 15+ years, First Response's solar specialization offers deeper system design expertise without the roofing component you don't need.
Both handle battery installations, including Powerwall systems mentioned in reviews. Amy's customers specifically reference SGIP battery work, while First Response reviews emphasize thorough explanation of backup options during consultation. Ask each about their experience with your specific battery brand and backup goals.
Amy's can handle the entire re-roof and solar reinstallation as one project, which reviews confirm they do regularly. First Response coordinates panel removal and reinstallation but you'll need a separate roofing contractor, adding complexity and potential finger-pointing if issues arise.
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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 12, 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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