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Mortensen Roofing & Gutters vs High Definition Solar
Contra Costa Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Mortensen brings more than twice the experience (36 years vs 16) and specializes exclusively in roofing, while High Definition Solar is a solar contractor with secondary roofing capabilities.
| Mortensen Roofing & Gutters | High Definition Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.1 |
| Years Licensed | 36 years | 16 years |
| License # | 583533 | 949189 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Concord, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | www.mortensenroofing.com | highdefinitionsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mortensen Roofing & Gutters
Customers consistently emphasize long-term roof performance spanning decades, professional communication throughout the project, and responsive service for specialized needs like cement tile work and leak repairs.
High Definition Solar
Customers primarily discuss solar installation quality, system sizing accuracy, and efficient completion, with roofing mentions appearing mainly in connection with solar-related work rather than standalone roofing projects.
Key Takeaway: Mortensen's feedback centers entirely on roofing expertise and results, while High Definition Solar's reviews focus overwhelmingly on solar performance with roofing as an ancillary service rather than a core competency.
Customer Reviews
Mortensen Roofing & Gutters
Mortensen Roofing roofed our house 35 years ago and it still stand strong. That is until a branch came and chipped a cement tile - they were great and helping me procure a new one a tiny bit different...
Very reasonably priced. Quality workmanship. Timely and consistent with deign.
From the estimate forward, I found working with the owner, John Mortensen, to be easy and professional. His bid was clearly the best I received. His crew, especially the supervisor, Humberto were skil...
High Definition Solar
Super effort to install my job on the scheduled day. The crew arrived at exactly 8:oo AM as promised and were completely finished at 2:00 pm. Everything worked! The crew was very professional. I aam ...
Quick response, took time to explain the process and were able to process everything on time. It went smoothly. Jairo was super helpful and patient!
We had HD Solar do a big install for us in Richmond California. They did a great job, very professional, and we love saving huge amounts of money of electricity now! Plus, no more power outages due to...
Consider Mortensen Roofing & Gutters if...
- ✓ You need cement tile roof repair or replacement, which Mortensen has documented expertise performing and which requires specialized knowledge to avoid cracking tiles during installation
- ✓ Your project involves leak troubleshooting on an older roof where diagnosing the root cause matters more than surface repairs, benefiting from 36 years of pattern recognition
- ✓ You want a contractor whose entire business model, crew training, and equipment investment centers on roofing rather than solar installation
- ✓ Long-term roof performance is your priority, with customer feedback showing Mortensen installations lasting decades with proper function
Consider High Definition Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning solar installation now or in the near future and want to bundle roofing work with panel installation under one contractor
- ✓ Your roofing need directly relates to existing solar equipment, such as leak repair around panel mounting or roof work required for system expansion
- ✓ You prefer a company that can address both your roof structure and any solar-related considerations in a single assessment
- ✓ You're located outside Contra Costa County in areas like Santa Clara County or Richmond where High Definition Solar has documented project experience
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask High Definition Solar what percentage of their revenue comes from standalone roofing projects versus solar installations, and whether their crew assigned to your project specializes in roofing or primarily installs solar
- → Ask Mortensen for references from projects similar to yours in terms of roof type and age, particularly if you have cement tile or complex leak issues
- → Confirm with both companies how long their current roofing crews have worked together and what their average timeline is for your specific project type
- → If considering High Definition Solar for roofing only, ask whether their roofing warranty and service response times differ from their solar customers
The Bottom Line
If you need roofing work without solar involvement, Mortensen Roofing & Gutters is the clear choice based on 36 years of specialized roofing focus, documented expertise in cement tile and leak diagnosis, and customer feedback showing decades-long roof performance. High Definition Solar is a capable contractor, but their core business is solar installation, and you'd be hiring them outside their primary specialty for standalone roofing projects. The only scenario where High Definition Solar makes sense for roofing is if you're bundling the work with solar installation or addressing roof issues related to existing solar equipment. For conventional roofing repairs, maintenance, or replacement, go with the company that has spent nearly four decades doing nothing but roofing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters significantly for standalone roofing projects. While licensing confirms minimum qualifications, a company's primary focus determines where they invest in crew training, specialized equipment, and daily problem-solving experience. A solar crew that occasionally performs roofing work will have less pattern recognition for diagnosing hidden damage or handling roofing-specific complications than a team that does nothing but roofing for 36 years. If your project involves solar, the equation changes and High Definition Solar's dual capability becomes an advantage.
The 20-year gap translates to practical differences in diagnosing problems and handling complications. Mortensen has seen twice as many building code updates, material formulation changes, and weather-related failure patterns specific to Contra Costa County roofing. For straightforward repairs on newer roofs, the gap matters less. For older roofs, cement tile work, or persistent leak issues where diagnosis is half the battle, that additional two decades of roofing-focused experience provides real value in identifying root causes rather than surface symptoms.
Not necessarily. If you need quality roofing work now, hire the roofing specialist now, then hire a solar specialist when you're ready for solar. Mortensen can ensure your roof structure is sound and properly sealed, which actually makes future solar installation easier. High Definition Solar would make sense if you're definitively planning solar within the next 12-18 months and want to avoid paying for roofing work twice, but don't compromise on immediate roofing needs based on hypothetical future plans.
The $25,000 bond provides identical financial protection if either contractor abandons your project or fails to meet contract terms. However, the bond is just one layer of protection. The more meaningful protection comes from hiring a contractor whose core expertise matches your project type, reducing the likelihood you'll need to file a claim in the first place. Both also carry workers compensation insurance, so you're protected from liability if a crew member is injured on your property regardless of which you choose.
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 10, 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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