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Able Roofing Company vs Doughty Enterprises
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Doughty Enterprises brings 37 years of licensing history versus Able Roofing's 21 years, with broader service scope including carpentry and structural repairs.
| Able Roofing Company | Doughty Enterprises | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 21 years | 37 years |
| License # | 849192 | 554946 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Petaluma, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Website | www.ableroofing.biz | doughtyenterprises.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able Roofing Company
Customers consistently praise Able Roofing for very responsive communication with fast call-backs and efficient crews that complete work on promised timelines.
Doughty Enterprises
Customers emphasize Doughty's quick turnaround and thoroughness, with frequent mentions of direct owner oversight and courteous crews handling both roofing and related carpentry tasks.
Key Takeaway: Doughty's reviews reference a broader range of structural and carpentry work completed alongside roofing projects, while Able's feedback focuses primarily on core roofing execution and coordination with solar partners.
Customer Reviews
Able Roofing Company
Best roofing experience I've ever had: Jon and his crew were exceptionally responsive (especially checking my roof for leaks prior to the big wind storm) throughout the entire process. They completed ...
Able Roofing rocks! Hailey and crew saved the day! I called earlier in the week and they said they could come over and take a look on Friday. That's pretty fast turnaround! The storm from the week b...
Jon and his crew are high quality and VERY responsive. Every time I reach out to Jon, he gets back to me immediately - faster than any of my other contractors - and this continues 8 years after he ins...
Doughty Enterprises
Buzz and his team went the extra mile and expedited a quick turnaround for my mom's roof. Buzz was extremely helpful along with his office manager, Ashley. They worked closely with my mom along with u...
Over the last few years, I've had several roofs replaced by Dorothy Enterprises. Buzz and his staff are always a pleasure to work with, very accommodating with schedule and very knowledgeable in the t...
Uzz and his team were outstanding to work with throughout the entire process. I would recommend them to anyone
Consider Able Roofing Company if...
- ✓ You're located in Petaluma or southern Sonoma County and prefer working with a nearby contractor for easier site visits and local familiarity.
- ✓ Your project is a straightforward roof replacement or storm repair without expected structural complications or carpentry needs.
- ✓ You're coordinating roofing work alongside a solar installation, where Able's referenced partnership experience may streamline the process.
- ✓ You value 21 years of proven experience and prioritize fast scheduling and completion timelines, which reviews consistently highlight.
Consider Doughty Enterprises if...
- ✓ Your roof is on an older home where hidden dry rot, compromised decking, or structural issues like roof line sagging are likely concerns that require carpentry skills.
- ✓ You need related exterior work such as gutter replacement or downspout adjustments handled by the same crew rather than coordinating multiple contractors.
- ✓ You want the deepest available experience base, with 37 years of licensing history providing exposure to virtually every roofing challenge in Northern California.
- ✓ You're in Santa Rosa or northern Sonoma County and prefer a locally-based contractor with extensive tenure in your immediate area.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Doughty whether their carpentry crew is in-house or subcontracted, and request references for projects that included structural repairs alongside roofing.
- → Ask Able how they handle unexpected dry rot or decking damage discovered during tear-off, and whether they bring in partners or handle it directly.
- → Confirm with both companies how long their current roofing crews have been with the company, as longevity affects consistency and quality control.
- → Request project timelines and ask specifically about their current scheduling availability, since both advertise quick turnaround.
The Bottom Line
Doughty Enterprises holds a clear advantage in licensing tenure and demonstrated service breadth, making them the stronger choice for older homes, projects with likely structural complications, or situations requiring carpentry alongside roofing. Their 37 years of experience provides a deeper reservoir of problem-solving exposure than Able's still-substantial 21 years. Able Roofing Company remains a fully qualified veteran contractor for straightforward residential reroofing, particularly if you're in Petaluma or coordinating with solar installation. Both carry proper insurance and bonding with strong communication records, so your decision should center on project complexity and whether you value Doughty's broader capability or Able's geographic proximity and solar coordination experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward reroof on a newer home with no structural concerns, both companies have ample veteran experience to handle the work properly. The gap becomes meaningful if you're dealing with an older home where decking condition is uncertain, complex flashing situations, or non-standard roof configurations where Doughty's additional 16 years increases the odds they've solved similar problems before. It's also relevant if you anticipate needing carpentry work, which Doughty explicitly demonstrates in their project history.
Doughty Enterprises has documented customer references to dry rot decking replacement completed as part of roofing projects, indicating they handle this in-house. Able Roofing's reviews don't specifically mention carpentry or structural repairs, though they may certainly be capable. If you have an older roof and suspect hidden damage, ask Able directly about their process for handling discovered dry rot and whether they use their own crew or bring in a partner.
Both companies receive strong feedback for fast scheduling and quick turnaround, so neither appears backlogged with long wait times. Your actual start date will depend on their current workload when you call. Given their similar reputations for responsiveness, contact both for quotes and availability, then compare their proposed timelines directly rather than assuming one is systematically faster.
Both serve the broader Sonoma County area, so either can reach your property. A closer contractor may offer slightly easier coordination for site visits or warranty follow-up, but the 20-mile difference between Petaluma and Santa Rosa is modest. Prioritize experience depth and service scope over location unless you're at the far edge of their service area or need frequent on-site meetings during the project.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top roofing contractors in Sonoma.
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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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