Compare Local Pros
Clean Roofing vs GAF Energy
Santa Clara Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Clean Roofing offers versatile roofing services with strong communication, while GAF Energy specializes in integrated solar roofs but shows significant post-installation support challenges.
| Clean Roofing | GAF Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 2.5 |
| Years Licensed | 8 years | 6 years |
| License # | 1034462 | 1062345 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | cleanroofing.com | www.gaf.energy |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clean Roofing
Customers consistently praise Clean Roofing's communication throughout projects, with frequent updates, organized coordination, and professional crews who clean up daily and complete work on schedule.
GAF Energy
GAF Energy receives positive feedback for professional installation teams but faces recurring criticism for post-installation communication difficulties, delayed responses, and lengthy activation timelines that frustrate customers.
Key Takeaway: Clean Roofing demonstrates reliable communication and project closeout while GAF Energy's customer experience deteriorates significantly after installation, leaving homeowners struggling to get systems activated and technical issues resolved.
Customer Reviews
Clean Roofing
Problem solvers! Luis Cuello and Rodrigo and Rolando Alva worked very hard to sort out a leak situation we had. Very professional. I would recommend them for any roofing work you have.
Roof was done reasonably efficiently given inspection delays from the city. PJ was very knowledgeable and helpful with the scoping. Rodrigo was a good project manager that communicated frequently. ...
The team did a great job installing a metal roof, and they spend some time to clean things up at the end of each days.
GAF Energy
Overall, a good experience if you go in with measured expectations. The process from signing the agreement to PTO is a long one, but the work was done professionally, and so far production is exceedin...
We are sharing a photo of the front view of our house and a close up view of the solar roof in this review. The solar roof is fully functional and looks elegant. Best of all, we had GAF Energy as th...
GAF team is great! The project manager Aidan is professional and efficient. He always answered our questions/concerns promptly. We are glad to choose GAF solar roof.
Consider Clean Roofing if...
- ✓ You need traditional roofing replacement, repair, or metal roof installation without solar integration, where Clean Roofing's material versatility and eight years of experience apply directly to your project.
- ✓ Consistent communication throughout your project matters significantly to you, as customers repeatedly mention frequent updates, responsive coordination, and organized project management from planning through completion.
- ✓ You value predictable timelines and want a contractor with demonstrated ability to complete work efficiently while managing inspection schedules and closing out projects cleanly.
- ✓ You're planning future solar installation and want roofing work that prepares your structure properly, as reviews mention coordination with solar timelines and preparation work.
Consider GAF Energy if...
- ✓ You specifically want GAF's integrated solar shingle system that combines roofing replacement with photovoltaic technology in a single product, which Clean Roofing does not offer.
- ✓ You have patience for extended activation timelines and the tolerance to navigate utility coordination and potential communication delays after installation, understanding this appears common based on customer experiences.
- ✓ You're willing to be persistent in follow-up communication to ensure your system gets activated and any technical issues get resolved, as post-installation responsiveness is a documented weakness.
- ✓ You have backup plans for extended project timelines from contract signing through final system activation, which reviews indicate can stretch significantly longer than physical installation work.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For GAF Energy: Ask specifically how long activation typically takes after installation and who your dedicated contact will be for post-installation issues. Request references from customers whose systems were activated within the past six months.
- → For GAF Energy: Ask what happens if you cannot reach your project coordinator after installation and whether there is an escalation process for activation delays or technical support.
- → For Clean Roofing: If planning future solar, ask how they coordinate roof preparation for solar installation and whether they provide documentation that solar installers typically need.
- → For both: Ask for a detailed timeline with milestones and ask what factors typically cause delays beyond their control versus within their management.
The Bottom Line
If you need traditional roofing work of any kind, Clean Roofing is the clear choice with eight years of experience, consistent communication practices, and predictable project completion without the post-installation service gaps that plague GAF Energy. Choose GAF Energy only if you specifically need their integrated solar shingle product and cannot achieve your goals with traditional roofing plus separate solar panels. If you do proceed with GAF Energy, understand that you are accepting documented risks around activation delays and post-installation communication challenges in exchange for their specialized solar roofing technology. For most homeowners needing reliable roofing work completed this season, Clean Roofing offers more dependable execution.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Clean Roofing handles traditional roofing materials and has coordinated with solar companies, but does not install integrated solar shingle systems. If you want GAF's specific solar roofing product that combines photovoltaic cells with roofing material, only GAF Energy offers that. If you need traditional roofing now with separate solar panels later, Clean Roofing can prepare your roof appropriately.
Yes, this is a documented pattern across multiple customer experiences, not isolated incidents. While installation teams perform professionally, the activation and troubleshooting phase shows repeated issues with responsiveness and timeline delays. If you choose GAF Energy, plan for potential communication challenges after physical installation and be prepared to follow up persistently to get your system activated and operational.
For complex projects, yes. Eight years versus six years means more experience diagnosing hidden damage during tearoff, handling unexpected structural issues, and navigating complications that arise mid-project. Both are experienced-tier contractors, but Clean Roofing's additional time and broader project variety provides more seasoning for problem-solving when your roof reveals surprises underneath the existing layers.
For physical installation work, both appear efficient once crews arrive. However, Clean Roofing demonstrates faster project closeout from start to finish, with customers noting timely completion. GAF Energy's solar roof projects involve longer overall timelines due to permitting complexity, utility coordination, and documented activation delays that extend well beyond installation completion. If timeline predictability matters, Clean Roofing shows more consistent performance.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top roofing contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara Roofing Contractors Comparisons
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 09, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.