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ARS Roofing & Gutters vs Modern Summit Roofing Contractor
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
ARS brings 22 years of licensing versus Modern Summit's 2 years, meaning significantly more experience diagnosing hidden problems and navigating complex roof conditions.
| ARS Roofing & Gutters | Modern Summit Roofing Contractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 2 years |
| License # | 837618 | 1117990 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Rosa, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Website | www.arsroofing.com | www.modernsummitroofing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
ARS Roofing & Gutters
ARS customers consistently highlight responsive communication, detailed inspections that sometimes recommend maintenance over replacement, and repeat service relationships spanning multiple projects over time.
Modern Summit Roofing Contractor
Modern Summit customers emphasize transparent pricing with no hidden fees, organized processes from estimate to completion, and notably fast turnaround when facing insurance deadlines or weather emergencies.
Key Takeaway: ARS shows evidence of long-term customer relationships and repeat business over many years, while Modern Summit earns specific praise for quick mobilization on urgent timelines, reflecting the practical difference between a 22-year veteran and a 2-year operation.
Customer Reviews
ARS Roofing & Gutters
ARS spoke with me on Christmas morning and had a crew out to us the following morning to inspect a roof leak. They discovered that a recent gutter cleaning we had done by another company did not do a ...
We had such an amazing experience with Letitia and the ARS Roofing & Gutters team! Our roof needed repairs prior to a solar installation-and they made what could be a super stressful situation seem se...
ARS replaced our 30-year-old roof. The quote and estimate process was clear and detailed and thorough. When the start date arrived, the entire team was cheerful and communcative and ernest. The forema...
Modern Summit Roofing Contractor
I was in the process of purchasing my first home and needed to get a roof inspection. I was a little stressed. Jason was professional and knowledgeable. He provided a great inspection and was so kind....
Have a GREAT experience with Modern Summit Roofing. They are easy to communicate with, super responsive and share information clearly. On ground their team was respectful to us an neighbors, they were...
Professional, reliable, and excellent work. I will be back and I highly recommend them!
Consider ARS Roofing & Gutters if...
- ✓ Your home is older or has a complex roof system where hidden damage like dry rot, failed decking, or outdated framing is likely to surface during tear-off and you need a contractor who can diagnose and address it without delays or change order surprises.
- ✓ You value a proven track record spanning two decades, including evidence of repeat customers and referrals that demonstrate sustained quality and reliability over time.
- ✓ Your project includes commercial roofing needs or you're coordinating roofing work ahead of solar installation, where ARS shows specific project history.
- ✓ You want a contractor whose 22-year licensing history suggests they'll still be in business if warranty issues emerge years from now.
Consider Modern Summit Roofing Contractor if...
- ✓ You're facing a tight timeline due to an insurance deadline or recent storm damage and need a contractor who can mobilize quickly, an area where Modern Summit receives specific mentions.
- ✓ Your roof is relatively straightforward without major complications expected, and you're comfortable working with a contractor building their reputation rather than one with decades of institutional knowledge.
- ✓ You prioritize detailed, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, which Modern Summit customers specifically highlight in reviews.
- ✓ You're willing to accept the trade-off of working with a 2-year licensed contractor in exchange for potentially more availability and faster scheduling.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Modern Summit for references from projects similar in age and complexity to your home, and inquire how long their current crew has worked together to gauge team stability.
- → Ask both companies what their process is when unexpected structural damage or dry rot is discovered during tear-off, including how pricing and timelines are communicated.
- → Confirm warranty terms and what happens if either company is no longer in business when a warranty claim arises.
- → Ask Modern Summit how they handle complications they haven't encountered before, given their shorter operating history.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, ARS Roofing & Gutters is the safer choice. Their 22 years of licensing represents a meaningful advantage in diagnosing hidden damage, handling complications, and providing long-term reliability that a 2-year contractor simply cannot match. This matters especially on older homes, complex roof systems, or any project where you need confidence that your contractor has seen and solved every possible problem before. Modern Summit earns strong feedback and may work well for straightforward re-roofs on newer homes or situations requiring very fast turnaround, but you're accepting real trade-offs in experience depth. If your home is over 15 years old or you suspect any underlying issues, the choice is clear: go with ARS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward re-roofs on newer homes, Modern Summit appears capable based on customer feedback. The experience gap becomes significant when projects involve older homes, complex roof systems, or hidden damage that requires quick diagnosis and problem-solving drawn from seeing thousands of scenarios. ARS's 22 years means they've encountered nearly every complication that can emerge during a roofing project.
Positive reviews reflect completed projects, but don't reveal how each company handles the unexpected issues that surface during tear-off on older or more complex roofs. A veteran contractor with 22 years has systems, supplier relationships, and crew expertise to diagnose and solve problems that a 2-year contractor may be encountering for the first time. For simple projects, the gap matters less; for complicated ones, it's substantial.
If you're genuinely facing an imminent insurance deadline or storm damage requiring emergency service, Modern Summit's specific mentions for quick mobilization may be valuable. However, confirm they can handle any complications that arise without delays. For non-emergency situations, ARS's deeper experience typically outweighs scheduling convenience, especially on older homes where hidden problems are likely.
ARS is the stronger choice for older homes. Their 22 years of licensing means they've diagnosed and resolved countless cases of hidden dry rot, failed decking, outdated framing, and code compliance issues. While Modern Summit may handle discovered problems competently, ARS brings two decades of pattern recognition that helps anticipate issues before tear-off and navigate solutions efficiently when complications emerge.
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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 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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