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Doughty Enterprises vs Sutter Roofing Systems
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Doughty Enterprises brings 37 years of licensed experience versus Sutter Roofing's 1 year, a meaningful difference in handling unexpected complications.
| Doughty Enterprises | Sutter Roofing Systems | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 37 years | 1 years |
| License # | 554946 | 1137426 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Rosa, CA | Sebastopol, CA |
| Website | doughtyenterprises.com | www.sutterroofingsystems.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Doughty Enterprises
Customers consistently highlight Doughty's responsive communication, efficient scheduling, and thorough job management with high owner involvement throughout projects.
Sutter Roofing Systems
Customers emphasize Sutter's fast project completion, professional crew conduct, and strong jobsite habits including daily cleanup and courteous behavior.
Key Takeaway: Doughty's reviews focus on communication and hands-on oversight across the project lifecycle, while Sutter's emphasize speed and efficiency in execution.
Customer Reviews
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
Sutter Roofing Systems
Sutter Roofing Systems did a nice job on my roof. Their price was right in line with the other estimates I received. Their workers diida great job.
Pat and the team replaced roof in less than two days. Communications were great and the crew showed up on time and kicked but. No more leaks!
Incredibly fast and professional.
Consider Doughty Enterprises if...
- ✓ Your roof is older or shows signs of underlying issues like sagging, previous patch jobs, or water stains inside, where experienced diagnosis matters more than speed.
- ✓ You're dealing with a complex project like matching materials on a historic home, coordinating roofing with a larger renovation, or addressing structural concerns beyond simple shingle replacement.
- ✓ You value high owner involvement and want direct oversight from someone who's managed thousands of roofing projects over decades.
- ✓ You want the confidence that comes from hiring a contractor who's successfully operated through multiple economic cycles and building code changes.
Consider Sutter Roofing Systems if...
- ✓ You have a straightforward roof replacement on a newer home without signs of hidden damage, where speed and efficiency are your top priorities.
- ✓ You're comfortable with a newer contractor and want to support a growing local business while accepting slightly higher risk.
- ✓ Recent customer feedback and quick responsiveness matter more to you than decades of historical performance.
- ✓ Your project timeline is tight and you value crews that work fast and clean up daily.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Sutter Roofing for references from projects that involved unexpected complications or structural repairs discovered mid-job, and how they handled scope changes.
- → Ask both companies what they've encountered in Sonoma County homes built in your home's era, and what hidden issues they typically find.
- → Confirm warranty terms and whether the company will still be reachable in 5-10 years if issues emerge.
- → Ask Doughty about current crew tenure and whether the same team quality that earned past reviews is still in place.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Doughty Enterprises is the safer choice. Thirty-seven years of licensed operation means they've handled nearly every roofing scenario Sonoma County can present, from leak diagnosis on older homes to managing unexpected dry rot or structural issues mid-project. Sutter Roofing earns positive feedback for speed and professionalism, but one year licensed simply doesn't provide the track record to confidently handle complications. If you have a straightforward replacement on a newer home and prioritize fast turnaround, Sutter may work fine. But if your roof is older, shows any signs of underlying problems, or you want the peace of mind that comes from hiring a veteran contractor, Doughty's experience is worth paying for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily—individual crew members may have years of roofing experience working for other companies. However, operating as a licensed contractor involves business management, liability decisions, and warranty accountability that only come with time. Ask Sutter directly about their team's total roofing experience and how long key crew members have worked together.
Customer reviews specifically mention leak troubleshooting and small repairs alongside full replacements, suggesting they do take on varied project sizes. Several reviews highlight responsive scheduling for urgent needs. If you have a minor repair, ask about their current availability and minimum project size.
Yes, significantly. Dry rot often extends further than visible damage, and experienced contractors better anticipate how far to investigate before closing up the roof. With 37 years in the field, Doughty has seen thousands of dry rot scenarios and knows when a small patch will suffice versus when structural framing needs attention.
Not when the experience gap is this wide. A lower bid from a newer contractor may reflect aggressive pricing to build a customer base, but could also mean less contingency planning for problems discovered mid-project. Get detailed written estimates from both, compare scope specifics, and weigh the price difference against the risk of change orders or mistakes on a newer company's learning curve.
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 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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