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Century Roof And Solar vs Solarsesame
Alameda Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Century Roof and Solar brings 30 years of licensed experience versus Solarsesame's 2 years, a critical difference when roofing integrity is part of your solar project.
| Century Roof And Solar | Solarsesame | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 30 years | 2 years |
| License # | 721502 | 1116168 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Hayward, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | www.centuryroofandsolar.com | solarsesame.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Century Roof And Solar
Customers consistently praise Century's thorough evaluations, detailed explanations of roofing and solar options, and strong coordination across multiple trades with attention to craftsmanship.
Solarsesame
Customers highlight Solarsesame's patient consultation approach, clear financing explanations, helpful online tools, and efficient installation process with a no-pressure sales style.
Key Takeaway: Century's feedback centers on veteran troubleshooting and multi-scope project execution, while Solarsesame's emphasizes streamlined sales consultation and financing navigation for straightforward solar installations.
Customer Reviews
Century Roof And Solar
It's good to know that there are still honest and hard working people that truly want to help their customers. The process of replacing my tile roof, gutters and insulation with Century Roof and Solar...
I contracted Century Roof and Solar to repair my roof. Tony (owner) visited my home for a consultation and was very thorough in explaining my options. It was a clear he was a man who knew his roofs. H...
Co-worker suggested Century Roof and Solar, went with the factory install. So I could transfer material and labor, to the new owner when I sell. Tony (owner) Pedro, Mark, Jose and to all the other wor...
Solarsesame
Yay! I got my roof and solar done just in time for rainy season. Super easy. Thank you Kerrie! Happy customer here. :)
Thank you so much you guys are amazing!I refer you guys 100%
I had excellent experience working with Kevin Feltis, sales rep from SolarSesame. Kevin was professional, knowledgeable, and patient in answering all my questions about going solar. He explained the s...
Consider Century Roof And Solar if...
- ✓ Your roof is over 15 years old and may have structural issues, dry rot, or underlayment deterioration that needs expert diagnosis before adding solar weight and penetrations.
- ✓ Your project involves tile roofing, skylight integration, ridge venting, or other roofing complexities where veteran troubleshooting experience prevents costly mid-project discoveries.
- ✓ You want the same contractor accountable for both roof integrity and solar performance, with three decades of warranty fulfillment history behind their promises.
- ✓ You value detailed option reviews and thorough site evaluations over sales efficiency, even if pricing runs higher than competitors focused primarily on volume solar installations.
Consider Solarsesame if...
- ✓ Your roof is relatively new, in verified good condition, and primarily needs solar panels rather than integrated roofing expertise.
- ✓ Financing options and payment flexibility are primary concerns, and you want a company structured around helping you navigate lease, PPA, and purchase programs.
- ✓ You prefer a streamlined consultation process with online visualization tools and energy calculators over extensive jobsite evaluation meetings.
- ✓ You're comfortable with a newer company's limited track record in exchange for what customers describe as a patient, no-pressure sales approach and efficient installation timelines.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Solarsesame how many solar-on-tile and solar-on-older-roof projects they've completed, and request references from installations on homes similar in age and roof type to yours.
- → Ask both companies who performs the roof assessment before solar installation, what their process is for identifying structural issues or dry rot, and how change orders are handled if problems emerge.
- → Ask Century Roof and Solar for a detailed breakdown separating roofing costs from solar costs so you can compare their solar pricing accurately against Solarsesame.
- → Ask Solarsesame how long their installation crews have been together and whether the same team handles both roofing and solar work or if they subcontract roofing repairs.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Century Roof and Solar's 30 years of licensed experience provides substantially better protection when roof integrity and solar performance intersect. If your roof is over a decade old, uses tile or has known issues, or your project involves skylights, venting, or other roofing complexity, the veteran expertise matters significantly. Choose Solarsesame only if your roof is newer and verified to be in excellent condition, financing navigation is your top priority, and you're comfortable with a 2-year track record. When in doubt, the contractor with three decades of diagnosing hidden problems before they become your emergency is the safer choice. Request detailed proposals from both, but weight Century's experience heavily unless your situation is genuinely straightforward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends heavily on your roof condition and project complexity. For straightforward solar installations on newer roofs in good condition, a 2-year track record may be sufficient, especially given their focus on streamlined residential solar. However, if your roof is older, uses tile materials, or may have hidden structural issues, Century's 30 years of diagnosing roof problems before they cause leaks or warranty disputes provides substantially more protection. Newer contractors simply haven't encountered the range of complications that reveal themselves during thousands of installations.
Customer feedback suggests Century's pricing runs higher than some competitors, which customers attribute to craftsmanship, detailed evaluations, and comprehensive service. The gap likely reflects different business models: Century provides veteran roofing expertise alongside solar, while Solarsesame focuses on efficient solar sales with financing emphasis. Request itemized quotes separating roofing work from solar components to compare accurately, and weigh the cost difference against the value of 30 years of troubleshooting experience protecting your investment.
The data doesn't provide enough detail about Solarsesame's roofing capabilities or crew composition to answer definitively. Their description lists roofing as a service, but customer feedback emphasizes solar consultation and installation rather than roofing craftsmanship. Ask directly whether they employ experienced roofers or subcontract roofing work, and request examples of projects where they addressed dry rot, structural reinforcement, or complex flashing details during solar installations.
Solarsesame explicitly emphasizes multiple financing options including lease and PPA programs as part of their consultation process, while Century's profile focuses on project execution rather than financing navigation. If financing structure is your primary decision factor and your roof is in solid condition, Solarsesame's sales model aligns with that priority. However, confirm that financing convenience doesn't come at the expense of thorough roof assessment—hidden damage discovered mid-project creates change orders regardless of how you're paying for the solar system.
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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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