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Poco Solar Energy vs Bautista Builders Metal Roofing Solar General Contractor
Santa Clara General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with 20+ years experience, but Poco Solar specializes exclusively in solar while Bautista lacks workers comp insurance.
| Poco Solar Energy | Bautista Builders Metal Roofing Solar General Contractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 32 years |
| License # | 879366 | 676750 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Clara, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.pocosolar.com | www.metalroofandsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Poco Solar Energy
Customers consistently praise Poco's technical knowledge and diagnostic abilities with solar systems, with multiple long-term clients using their services for 15-30 years, though recent feedback indicates frustration with communication responsiveness and scheduling.
Key Takeaway: Poco has extensive verifiable customer feedback spanning decades of solar work, while Bautista has minimal public review history despite 32 years in business, making their solar-specific capabilities difficult to assess.
Customer Reviews
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.
Bautista Builders Metal Roofing Solar General Contractor
Mauricio put on a presidential 40 yr roof and did a great job! Just in time for the heavy rains. You saved me pal! Great job!
Consider Poco Solar Energy if...
- ✓ You need a contractor whose primary business is solar installations, with documented experience in both pool heating systems and photovoltaic panels over two decades
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is non-negotiable for you, eliminating personal liability if someone is injured during your project
- ✓ You want verifiable customer feedback about leak repairs, system diagnostics, and long-term performance of installed systems
- ✓ Your project involves battery installation, seasonal maintenance, or working with specific manufacturers like SunPower or Fafco
Consider Bautista Builders Metal Roofing Solar General Contractor if...
- ✓ Your project combines solar installation with significant metal roofing work or other structural modifications where general contracting experience is valuable
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying liability coverage directly and confirming your homeowner's policy adequately covers contractor injuries
- ✓ You prefer working with a company where the owner is highly involved in projects (noted in their profile)
- ✓ You're willing to request detailed references for solar-specific projects given the limited public review history
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Bautista Builders directly about their current liability insurance coverage and request a certificate of insurance. Confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if workers are injured on your property.
- → Ask Bautista for at least three references from recent solar installations similar to yours, including contact information you can verify independently.
- → Ask Poco Solar about their current lead times and communication protocols, given customer feedback noting recent scheduling delays and responsiveness issues.
- → Ask both contractors how they handle roof penetrations, leak warranties, and what happens if solar equipment needs removal for future roof work.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Poco Solar Energy is the safer choice because their workers compensation coverage eliminates a significant financial risk that Bautista's 12 additional years of experience doesn't address. Poco's solar-only focus and documented customer feedback about leak repairs, system diagnostics, and long-term installations provide verifiable evidence of their capabilities. Choose Bautista only if your project requires substantial metal roofing or structural work beyond standard solar installation, and only after confirming adequate liability coverage and obtaining detailed solar project references. If you go with Poco, address their communication challenges upfront by establishing clear response expectations and preferred contact methods before signing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Experience doesn't eliminate injury risk, and a single workers comp claim against your homeowner's policy could cost far more than your entire solar project. Workers comp protects you from financial catastrophe regardless of the contractor's skill level. If you choose Bautista, you must verify they carry adequate liability coverage and confirm your own insurance protects you.
It depends on your project scope. If you're adding solar to an existing roof in good condition, Poco's dedicated solar focus is advantageous—their customer feedback specifically mentions leak repairs and system diagnostics. If your project requires structural modifications, roof replacement with metal roofing, or complex construction work, Bautista's broader experience could be valuable.
This could indicate they rely on word-of-mouth referrals, recently expanded into solar from other construction work, or simply don't actively collect online reviews. Given this gap, you should request a detailed list of recent solar projects with verifiable references. Long licensing history confirms they've stayed in business, but doesn't tell you about their solar-specific quality or customer service.
Recent customer feedback notes responsiveness challenges and delays, which matters if you have a strict installation deadline or need quick responses during the project. Ask Poco directly about their current lead times, how they handle scheduling, and who your point of contact will be. Their technical expertise is well-documented, but set clear expectations about communication upfront.
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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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