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Apollo Roofing Company vs Illuminate Solar Company
Contra Costa Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These are contractors serving completely different needs: Apollo specializes in roofing work while Illuminate focuses exclusively on solar panel and battery installations.
| 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
Apollo customers consistently highlight responsive communication from office staff, detailed roofing inspections with clear material explanations, and professional crews who maintain tidy worksites with on-time completion.
Illuminate Solar Company
Illuminate customers emphasize the owner's direct involvement and communication throughout solar installations, on-time project completion, and professional installation crews delivering systems that significantly reduce electricity costs.
Key Takeaway: Apollo's reviews focus on structured project management through office staff for roofing work, while Illuminate features high owner involvement maintaining direct client contact for solar installations, reflecting different business models for different trade complexities.
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 roofing work such as leak diagnosis, shingle replacement, full roof replacement, or related work like gutter installation and skylight coordination
- ✓ Your roof may have hidden issues like dry rot that require thorough inspection and transparent communication about scope changes
- ✓ You value structured project management with detailed explanations of material options, warranties, and step-by-step updates from estimate through completion
- ✓ You want a contractor with established roofing processes including daily cleanup and professional field crews
Consider Illuminate Solar Company if...
- ✓ You're planning a solar panel installation or adding battery storage to reduce electricity costs
- ✓ You value working with a veteran solar contractor who has navigated 16 years of changing technologies, incentive programs, and utility requirements
- ✓ Direct owner communication throughout your project is important to you, particularly for a complex electrical and structural installation
- ✓ You're making a long-term energy investment where installer experience with system performance and troubleshooting matters significantly
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If you need both roofing and solar work, ask each company whether they coordinate with the other trade and who takes responsibility for roof penetrations and waterproofing around solar mounts
- → Ask Illuminate for references from installations completed 5+ years ago to verify long-term system performance and their responsiveness to any post-installation issues
- → Clarify warranty coverage: who handles what if a roof leak develops near solar panel mounts, or if roofing work is needed after solar installation
The Bottom Line
These companies serve entirely different needs, so your choice depends on your project scope. Choose Apollo Roofing Company if you need roof repairs, replacements, leak diagnosis, or related work like gutters and skylights. Their 5 years of focused roofing experience, structured communication, and professional execution make them well-suited for residential roofing projects. Choose Illuminate Solar Company if you're installing solar panels or battery storage, where their 16 years of veteran experience navigating solar technology evolution, utility requirements, and long-term system performance provides meaningful value. If you're planning both roof and solar work, start with a roof inspection from Apollo, complete any necessary roofing work first, then proceed with Illuminate for solar installation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Roof replacement should almost always happen before solar installation, as removing and reinstalling panels later adds significant cost. If you're comparing these companies for a project involving both trades, have Apollo inspect your roof first to determine remaining lifespan. Most solar systems last 25+ years, so your roof should be sound enough to avoid replacement during that period.
Yes, but only within each specialty. Illuminate's 16 years matters significantly for solar work given the complexity of electrical systems, evolving technology, and long-term performance implications. Apollo's 5 years is sufficient for roofing, where the trade fundamentals are more established, though Illuminate's solar experience won't help you with roof repairs.
While some larger companies offer both services, these contractors specialize in their respective trades. Solar installation requires electrical expertise and different licensing considerations, while roofing focuses on waterproofing and structural integrity. If you need both, you'll likely need to hire both companies or find a contractor who specializes in coordinating solar-plus-roofing projects.
Contact Apollo first for a roof inspection to determine condition and remaining lifespan. If replacement is needed soon, complete that before moving forward with Illuminate for solar. This sequence prevents the costly scenario of needing to remove and reinstall solar panels to access the roof. Ask both contractors if they regularly coordinate with the other trade.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top roofing contractors in Contra Costa.
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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 14, 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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