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Los Gatos Roofing vs Poco Solar Energy
Santa Clara General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Los Gatos Roofing and Poco Solar Energy serve entirely different needs: one does traditional roofing, the other specializes in solar systems.
| Los Gatos Roofing | Poco Solar Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 24 years | 20 years |
| License # | 800707 | 879366 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | www.losgatosroofing.com | www.pocosolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Los Gatos Roofing
Customers consistently praise organized project management, responsive communication throughout installations, and crews that maintain clean jobsites during multi-day roofing projects.
Poco Solar Energy
Long-term customers highlight deep technical knowledge and system durability over decades, but recent reviews flag scheduling delays and communication responsiveness as ongoing challenges.
Key Takeaway: Los Gatos Roofing earns consistent praise for communication and scheduling reliability, while Poco Solar Energy's technical expertise is valued but communication issues create friction in recent customer experiences.
Customer Reviews
Los Gatos Roofing
We had an excellent experience with Los Gatos Roofing. We worked with Dave. He is very responsive and kept us informed. Dave said our roof would be done in 2 days. The quality of work is awesome, a...
Brandon Berg from Los Gatos Roofing is the best! We truly appreciate the professionalism Brandon and his crew showed throughout the roofing project - excellent workmanship, punctuality, safety, and cl...
I had a terrible leak in my kitchen for a couple years that seemed impossible to find. Then more leaks sprung up. In June I decided to go with Los Gatos roofing to replace the whole roof because it wa...
Poco Solar Energy
Eddie showed up on time and got right to it and figured out the problem in short order. He completed the repairs in no time.
I've been a customer of Poco for over 16 years. I thought Darwin was irreplaceable, but I was wrong. Ed Is about the only person who could've replaced Darwin with his friendliness and expertise. Appre...
Poco Solar replaced my existing solar swimming pool heater. They did a very good job and I would recommend them.
Consider Los Gatos Roofing if...
- ✓ You need a roof replacement, repair, or related exterior work like gutters and have no solar equipment involved
- ✓ Communication and predictable scheduling are priorities, as reviews consistently mention timely updates and on-schedule completion
- ✓ Your roof project involves material selection decisions where you want detailed guidance on options like tile, composite, or shingle choices
- ✓ You're dealing with an aging roof that may have hidden issues requiring experienced diagnosis during a 24-year track record
Consider Poco Solar Energy if...
- ✓ You need solar pool heating installation, repair, or seasonal maintenance for an existing system
- ✓ You're planning a photovoltaic solar panel installation or battery system addition to your home
- ✓ Your roof replacement requires removal and reinstallation of existing solar panels, and you want the solar specialist to handle that portion
- ✓ You value long-term technical expertise and are willing to be proactive about communication and scheduling follow-up based on recent feedback patterns
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If coordinating both roofing and solar work, ask each contractor who typically manages the project timeline and whether they have preferred partners they work with regularly
- → Ask Poco Solar Energy specifically about their current scheduling timelines and how they'll keep you updated throughout the project, given recent feedback about communication delays
- → If your project involves solar panel removal for roofing work, ask Los Gatos Roofing whether they coordinate directly with solar contractors or if you need to manage that relationship
- → Ask both contractors for references from projects completed in the last 12 months to understand their current service patterns
The Bottom Line
Choose Los Gatos Roofing for any traditional roofing project—they have 24 years of experience, consistently praised communication, and a track record of on-schedule completion. Choose Poco Solar Energy if you need solar pool heating or photovoltaic panel work, but be prepared to stay on top of scheduling and communication based on recent feedback. If your project involves both a roof replacement and solar panel removal/reinstallation, you'll need to coordinate between both contractors or hire one to manage the relationship. Ask each about their coordination process upfront, get recent references, and clarify who owns the timeline. For most homeowners reading this comparison, you need one or the other based on your project type, not a choice between competitors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You'll likely need both: Los Gatos Roofing for the actual roofing work and Poco Solar Energy to remove and reinstall your panels. Ask each contractor who typically coordinates the timeline and whether they have an established working relationship. Some homeowners hire the roofer as the primary contractor and have them coordinate with the solar company, while others manage both relationships directly.
Not significantly in this case, since both are veteran contractors with 20+ years of experience. The four-year gap matters far less than their completely different specialties. Both have demonstrated longevity in their respective fields and carry the same insurance and bond protections.
Yes, if predictable scheduling and responsive communication are important to your timeline. Multiple recent reviews specifically mention delays and responsiveness challenges. If you choose Poco Solar, plan to be proactive about follow-up and build extra time into your project schedule. Their technical expertise appears strong, but project management may require more homeowner involvement.
This depends on your specific roof and panel configuration, but most full roof replacements require complete panel removal for proper installation. Ask Los Gatos Roofing directly whether your project scope requires removal and whether they handle that work or coordinate with a solar contractor. Don't assume panels can remain in place during a reroof.
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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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