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Five Star Solar vs NorCal Roofing
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized solar contractor with 20 years experience against a veteran roofing company with 32 years history—fundamentally different services for different projects.
| Five Star Solar | NorCal Roofing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 32 years |
| License # | 873535 | 684832 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | norcalroofing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently highlight Five Star Solar's quick installation completion and thorough education process, with many appreciating the straightforward sales approach and competitive pricing without pressure tactics.
NorCal Roofing
NorCal Roofing receives consistent feedback about responsive communication throughout diverse roofing projects and thorough explanations of work scope, with customers noting professional handling from estimate through cleanup.
Key Takeaway: Five Star customers emphasize speed and the educational aspect of solar consultation, while NorCal customers focus on communication consistency and handling diverse roofing materials and emergency situations—reflecting their different trade specialties.
Customer Reviews
Five Star Solar
The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had ...
In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline f...
Like so many of us that were going to do some type of solar project at some point we now had to scramble to get our solar projects completed by year end due to the abandonment of the Tax Credit. I was...
NorCal Roofing
Nor Cal Roofing provided excellent service from start to finish. They were responsive, showed up quickly to tarp my roof ahead of a storm, and returned right after to complete the repair. I appreciate...
We had these guys come out after another roofing company did a terrible job. Norcal is very professional, they go above and beyond and blow competition away. We are very thankful for Mike and the awe...
We needed to replace a skylight that was leaking after 30 years. Michael was easy to work with, and handled a couple of minor issues that came up. The installers were great and did the work quickly. ...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is less than 10 years old or recently replaced and can support solar panels for their full 25-30 year lifespan without needing replacement mid-term
- ✓ You're specifically seeking solar panel installation, battery backup systems, or expanding an existing solar system with additional capacity
- ✓ You value quick installation timelines, as customers consistently report one-to-two day completions for standard residential solar projects
- ✓ You need a contractor experienced with HOA solar approvals and utility interconnection paperwork specific to Sacramento County requirements
Consider NorCal Roofing if...
- ✓ Your roof is approaching 15-20 years old and may need replacement before adding the weight and penetrations of solar panels
- ✓ You need roofing work completed—whether emergency repairs, full replacement, gutter installation, or skylight replacement—before considering solar
- ✓ Your project involves commercial property, flat roofing systems, or tile roofing that requires specialized expertise beyond standard residential composition shingles
- ✓ You need storm damage assessment or emergency services, which fall outside solar contractor scope entirely
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering solar: Ask NorCal to assess your roof's remaining lifespan and whether replacement should happen before solar installation to avoid future removal costs
- → If your roof needs work: Ask Five Star whether they coordinate with roofing contractors or recommend completing roof replacement before solar installation
- → Ask both companies about warranty implications—will Five Star warranty solar installation on an older roof, and will NorCal's roof warranty remain valid after solar panel installation
- → Ask about timing and coordination if you need both services—whether either company has preferred partners or can sequence the work properly
The Bottom Line
These companies serve fundamentally different needs, so your decision depends entirely on what work your property requires. If your roof is sound and less than 10-15 years old, Five Star Solar's 20 years of solar specialization makes them the clear choice for adding panels and battery systems with fast installation timelines. If your roof needs replacement, repair, or is approaching the age where it should be replaced before adding solar, NorCal Roofing's 32 years of roofing expertise across diverse materials is what you need first. The most common decision point: homeowners with aging roofs should complete replacement with NorCal before pursuing solar, avoiding the expensive scenario of removing panels for roof work later.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If your roof is more than 15 years old or shows wear, replacement before solar installation typically makes financial sense. Removing and reinstalling solar panels costs $2,000-$5,000, so doing roofing work after solar installation becomes significantly more expensive. A roofing contractor like NorCal can assess remaining roof life, while Five Star can evaluate whether your current roof condition supports solar installation.
Solar contractors evaluate whether a roof can structurally support panels and identify obvious damage, but comprehensive roof condition assessment is outside their specialty. If your roof is older or you're unsure about its condition, get a roofing contractor's evaluation first. This prevents the costly scenario of discovering roof problems after solar panels are already installed.
Contact the roofing contractor first to replace the roof, then schedule solar installation afterward. Roofing work takes 1-3 days, solar installation another 1-2 days, but permitting and scheduling mean you'll likely need 4-8 weeks total timeline. Some homeowners get quotes from both simultaneously to plan the sequence, but roof replacement must happen first.
The data doesn't indicate formal partnerships between these companies. Ask each directly whether they have contractors they regularly coordinate with or recommend. Some solar companies have preferred roofing partners, and some roofers work with solar installers on sequencing, but you'll likely need to manage coordination between separate contracts yourself.
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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 13, 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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