Capstone Roofing Inc vs Second Generation Roofing
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with identical protection and strong reputations, but Capstone brings eight additional years of licensed experience.
| Capstone Roofing Inc | Second Generation Roofing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.6 |
| Years Licensed | 34 years | 26 years |
| License # | 629383 | 768860 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Rosa, CA | Sebastopol, CA |
| Website | www.capstoneroofing.biz | secondgenroofing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Capstone Roofing Inc
Customers consistently praise Capstone for one-day completion speed, thorough cleanup, and organized communication from estimate through scheduling.
Second Generation Roofing
Customers highlight Second Generation's transparency about repair needs identified during inspections and competitive pricing compared to other bids.
Key Takeaway: Capstone is noted for speed and efficiency in execution, while Second Generation is praised for proactive identification of repair costs before work begins.
Customer Reviews
Capstone Roofing Inc
These guys are amazing. They replaced the roof in one day and price was very competitive. The crew was so nice. I recommend them and would hire them again.
When I needed a new roof recently, I first turned to Capstone Roofing for an estimate. My husband and I had a new roof installed on our former home in 2001 by Capstone. Our experiences with the owner,...
The Capstone did a great job and finished in just one day! They even did some nice follow up for us by cleaning up our rain gutters.
Second Generation Roofing
Good company to work with and was very quick to completion. They did a complete overhaul of our leaking chimney along with the roof. The repaired chimney looked good as new, and the exterior paint mat...
I am a licensed Realtor in Sonoma / Marin County. I have personally used Second Generation Roofing for my rental property and have referred them to many happy clients and friends. I would highly recom...
Noel and his team were prompt and professional. Great attention to detail and very transparent about anticipated repairs. They went the extra mile to make sure that their work was top quality, definit...
Consider Capstone Roofing Inc if...
- ✓ Your roof is older or you suspect hidden damage, and you want a contractor with the deepest experience base diagnosing structural issues during tear-off
- ✓ You're working against a tight timeline—upcoming rain, solar installation, or sale deadline—and need a crew known for completing replacements in a single day
- ✓ You value speed and efficiency without sacrificing thoroughness in cleanup and communication
- ✓ Your project involves coordination with insurance claims or other contractors, where Capstone's documented experience with documentation assistance is relevant
Consider Second Generation Roofing if...
- ✓ You want maximum transparency about repair costs before work begins, with detailed pre-work inspections that identify dry rot, improper installations, and other issues during estimating
- ✓ You prefer a contractor that proactively discusses anticipated repairs rather than discovering them mid-project
- ✓ Competitive pricing is a priority, as multiple reviews reference Second Generation's bids comparing favorably to other estimates
- ✓ You're in Sebastopol or western Sonoma County and prefer a locally-based contractor
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both companies how they handle unexpected repairs discovered during tear-off, including whether estimates include contingency amounts or require change orders
- → If your home is multi-story or a multi-unit property, ask Capstone specifically about their process for quality control on larger projects given isolated feedback about post-installation concerns
- → Request references from projects completed in the past year that match your home's age and roof complexity
- → Ask about current crew stability and how long key team members have been with the company
The Bottom Line
Both companies are strong choices with veteran experience, proper insurance, and consistent track records on residential roofing in Sonoma County. Capstone has a meaningful edge in total experience—34 years versus 26—which matters most if your roof is older, structurally complex, or likely to reveal hidden issues during tear-off. Choose Capstone if speed is critical or you're coordinating with other contractors on a tight timeline. Choose Second Generation if you prioritize cost transparency and want detailed pre-work inspections that identify repair needs before starting. For most standard replacements, either company will deliver professional results; the decision comes down to whether you value Capstone's deeper experience base and speed, or Second Generation's proactive repair planning and competitive pricing approach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward replacement on a newer home, the difference is minimal—both are veteran contractors with decades of experience. However, if your home was built before 1990 or you suspect underlying structural issues, Capstone's additional eight years translates to more exposure to unusual framing configurations, hidden water damage patterns, and historical building practices common in older Sonoma County homes. That deeper experience base can be valuable when diagnosing problems during tear-off.
Second Generation has a clear pattern of identifying repair needs during the estimating phase, with multiple reviews specifically praising their transparency about dry rot and other issues before work begins. Capstone also provides detailed estimates, but Second Generation's feedback suggests a more proactive approach to surfacing potential additional costs upfront. Ask both companies whether their estimates include allowances for commonly-discovered issues or if everything requires a change order.
The feedback describing leaks or damage concerns on larger or multi-unit projects represents a small portion of Capstone's reviews, and the majority describe successful completions with thorough work. However, if your project involves a multi-story home, duplex, or complex roof geometry, it's worth asking Capstone directly about their quality control process for larger jobs and requesting references from similar recent projects. For standard single-family replacements, this doesn't appear to be a pattern.
Several Second Generation reviews specifically mention competitive pricing compared to other bids, though this doesn't necessarily mean they're cheaper than Capstone—it may reflect their transparent approach to itemizing repairs that other contractors might handle as change orders. Request detailed written estimates from both companies that break out anticipated repairs separately from base replacement costs. The true cost comparison will depend on how each company structures contingencies and handles discoveries during tear-off.
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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 08, 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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