Compare Local Pros
Apollo Roofing Company vs Illuminate Solar Company
Contra Costa General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a roofing contractor to a solar installer—these companies serve completely different needs and cannot be directly compared.
| Apollo Roofing Company | Illuminate Solar Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 16 years |
| License # | 1076767 | 937645 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Walnut Creek, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Website | www.apolloroofingcompany.com | www.illuminatesolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Apollo Roofing Company
Customers consistently praise Apollo's detailed communication, professional crews who maintain clean job sites, and willingness to explain options without pressure throughout roof replacement and repair projects.
Illuminate Solar Company
Illuminate's customers highlight reliable on-time completion, strong direct owner involvement throughout solar installations, and satisfaction with reduced electricity costs after system activation.
Key Takeaway: Apollo emphasizes structured project management across roofing work while Illuminate features hands-on owner communication for solar installations, reflecting different service delivery models for fundamentally different trades.
Customer Reviews
Apollo Roofing Company
Apollo roofing has superb service. Daniel was great to work with from beginning to end. I'm happy with that overall work and process. Their pricing was fair with others but I like the explanation of e...
I'd recommend anyone to get their roof done by Apollo. They are honorable people. It was a challenging time for us as we were told our insurance was going to be cancelled because we had a cedar shake ...
Sam and his team replaced the roof of our 3-unit building- including the addition 2 skylights in each unit-in just under a couple of weeks. We chose Apollo because of their initial price quotes and wa...
Illuminate Solar Company
We had a solar system and battery installed recently and it went off without any issues. Great communication from the owner. Can’t wait to send them some referrals.
Mark and his crew did a wonderful job installing my solar panels. They came to work when they said they would, finished on time. I am so happy with the panels and paying nothing for electricity includ...
Mark and his crew were honest, down to earth, communicative and did a great job.
Consider Apollo Roofing Company if...
- ✓ You need roof repairs, leak diagnosis, or a full roof replacement before considering any solar installation
- ✓ Your roof is showing signs of age (over 15 years old) and you're planning solar in the next few years—address roofing first
- ✓ You've discovered issues like dry rot or structural concerns that need resolution before adding solar panel weight
- ✓ You want detailed explanations of roofing materials, warranties, and options with a no-pressure approach
Consider Illuminate Solar Company if...
- ✓ Your roof is relatively new (under 10 years) or has been recently replaced and can support 25+ years of solar panels
- ✓ You're ready to invest in solar energy and battery storage to reduce electricity costs
- ✓ You value direct owner communication throughout a complex permitting and installation process
- ✓ You need a veteran contractor experienced in navigating utility interconnection and solar incentive programs
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If planning both projects, ask Apollo how long a new roof should cure before solar installation and whether they've worked with solar contractors previously
- → Ask Illuminate what minimum roof condition and remaining lifespan they require before installing solar panels
- → Request that both contractors communicate about roof penetration points, structural load requirements, and warranty implications when solar is installed over roofing work
- → Clarify which contractor handles roof warranty issues if leaks develop at solar panel mounting points after installation
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're planning coordinated roofing and solar projects. If you need roofing work—repairs, replacements, or inspections—Apollo Roofing is your contractor, offering experienced service with strong communication. If your roof is in good condition with 15+ years of remaining life and you're ready for solar, Illuminate Solar brings veteran expertise to that completely separate project. For most homeowners, the decision is obvious based on which service you actually need. If you genuinely need both, hire Apollo first to ensure your roof can support 25+ years of solar panels, then bring in Illuminate once roofing work is complete and cured.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if your roof is over 15 years old or showing wear. Solar panels last 25-30 years, and removing them to replace the roof later costs thousands in additional labor. Apollo can assess your roof's remaining lifespan, and Illuminate can confirm whether your current roof condition meets their installation requirements.
Neither company's profile indicates formal partnerships with the other trade, so you'll need to manage coordination yourself. Schedule Apollo's roofing work first, allow proper curing time for new roofing materials, then have Illuminate design the solar layout around your new roof's configuration and penetration points.
This depends on whether the leak originates from roofing defects or solar panel mounting penetrations. You'll need clear written agreements from both contractors defining warranty boundaries and how they'll handle potential disputes. Ask both companies how they've handled this situation on past projects.
The available data doesn't indicate whether Apollo routinely coordinates with solar installers. Ask them directly about their experience preparing roofs for solar, their preferred flashing methods around planned panel areas, and whether they'll communicate with your solar contractor about structural load and penetration locations.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Contra Costa.
Other Contra Costa General Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.