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Roof By Tom vs West Coast Solar
Contra Costa Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a roofing specialist with 2 years of licensing to a solar company with 18 years of experience that also does roofing work.
| Roof By Tom | West Coast Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 18 years |
| License # | 1112980 | 908549 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Moraga, CA | Concord, CA |
| Website | roofbytom.com | www.westcoastsolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Roof By Tom
Customers consistently praise Roof By Tom for responsive communication, punctual crews, quick scheduling from call to completion, and thorough cleanup, though a few reviews mention unresolved leak outcomes.
West Coast Solar
West Coast Solar receives feedback focused on their solar installations, with customers noting no-pressure sales, single-day installs, and care protecting tile roofs during solar work, though post-installation service responsiveness varies.
Key Takeaway: Roof By Tom's reviews center entirely on roofing project experiences with emphasis on communication and efficiency, while West Coast Solar's feedback relates primarily to solar installations with roofing mentioned only as a secondary consideration during panel mounting.
Customer Reviews
Roof By Tom
Roof by Tom did an outstanding job replacing our entire roof. The crew arrived on time, worked efficiently, and kept the area clean throughout the project. The new shingles look amazing and the workma...
We have had several leaks and missing shingles. These guys came out quickly, assessed the damage, and got everything repaired within a day. No upselling, just honest work and fair pricing. It's been a...
Our old roof had seen better days, and we finally decided on a full replacement with 30-year architectural shingles. The crew was professional, cleaned up thoroughly, and the new roof looks amazing. T...
West Coast Solar
Craig and the customer service staff were awesome! They listened to my concerns and were open to my service options. Craig was very nice and explained everything for me to understand.
Communication was great from the start, to the time they left. Great job WCS!!
On time and did a great job
Consider Roof By Tom if...
- ✓ You need a dedicated roofing contractor who focuses exclusively on roof work rather than solar installations, with clear communication throughout a straightforward residential roofing project.
- ✓ Your timeline is urgent, such as an active leak situation, and you value the quick turnaround and responsive scheduling that customers frequently mention.
- ✓ Your roof replacement or repair is relatively straightforward without significant structural concerns, and you're comfortable with a contractor still building their track record.
- ✓ You prioritize detailed estimates and non-pushy recommendations for a standard residential roofing scope.
Consider West Coast Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning a solar installation and need roofing work done simultaneously, allowing you to work with one contractor for both systems.
- ✓ Your project involves tile roof installation or replacement where West Coast Solar has specific experience protecting and working with this roof type during solar mounts.
- ✓ You value the depth of experience that comes with 18 years of licensing, particularly if your roof may have hidden structural issues or complex code compliance requirements.
- ✓ You want a contractor with nearly two decades of navigating permitting, inspections, and utility coordination processes in Contra Costa County.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Roof By Tom for references from projects completed in the past year that involved challenging leak diagnosis or unexpected complications during tear-off.
- → Ask West Coast Solar whether they routinely take standalone roofing projects unrelated to solar installations, and how roofing work is staffed compared to their solar crews.
- → Ask both contractors how they handle warranty claims if leak issues emerge after completion, and request specific examples of returning to resolve post-project concerns.
- → Ask Roof By Tom how they approach diagnosing the source of leaks on older roofs with multiple potential entry points.
The Bottom Line
If you need dedicated roofing work unrelated to solar, Roof By Tom is the appropriate choice despite being a newer contractor—they focus exclusively on roofing with responsive service and quick scheduling. However, recognize the experience limitation: 2 years of licensing means less depth diagnosing hidden issues or handling complications, and some customers report unresolved leak concerns. West Coast Solar's 18 years of experience is substantial, but roofing is secondary to their solar business. Only consider them if you're combining roof work with a solar project, or if you confirm they prioritize standalone roofing contracts with dedicated attention. For a roof-only project, choose the roofing specialist, but ask Roof By Tom specifically about their approach to complex leak diagnosis and request recent references involving challenging projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
West Coast Solar primarily focuses on solar installations with roofing work integrated into those projects. While they have 18 years of experience and demonstrate care with tile roofs during solar mounts, it's unclear from available data whether they routinely take standalone roofing contracts or prioritize them with the same attention as solar projects. Ask directly whether your roof-only project fits their typical workload and how it would be scheduled.
For a straightforward tear-off and reshingle on a typical residential structure, 2 years of licensing may be sufficient if the crew is experienced and supervision is strong. The risk increases with older roofs where hidden damage, rotted decking, or non-obvious leak sources require diagnostic judgment that develops over many projects. A small number of reviews mention unresolved leak issues, which suggests this is an area to probe during your consultation.
Yes, both carry required workers compensation insurance, protecting you from liability if a worker is injured on your property, and both hold $25,000 bonds providing recourse if work isn't completed as agreed. These are baseline protections, and having them is significantly better than contractors who don't. The experience difference affects project outcomes, not financial coverage.
Roof By Tom specializes in roof repairs and leak work with quick turnaround, making them appropriate for immediate repair needs. If you're planning solar within a year or two, ask West Coast Solar whether they assess roof condition during solar consultations and whether they'd recommend handling both projects together. Doing roof replacement immediately before solar installation can mean paying twice for labor in overlapping areas.
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 13, 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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