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Sun America Solar and Roofing Co vs Sterling Roofing Co
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Sun America Solar brings 36 years of experience and extensive customer feedback demonstrating solar expertise, while Sterling Roofing has 21 years licensed but limited verifiable project history.
| Sun America Solar and Roofing Co | Sterling Roofing Co | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 36 years | 21 years |
| License # | 597784 | 846392 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Petaluma, CA | Glen Ellen, CA |
| Website | www.sunamericasolar.org | sterlingroofingco.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Sun America Solar and Roofing Co
Customers consistently praise Sun America Solar for responsive communication, technical problem-solving abilities, and professional installation quality with systems performing reliably over multiple years.
Key Takeaway: Sun America Solar has extensive documented customer feedback establishing clear service patterns, while Sterling Roofing's absence of reviews leaves current capabilities and customer experience uncertain.
Customer Reviews
Sun America Solar and Roofing Co
Had my solar electric system installed recently, and the whole process went really well. The team handled everything professionally, from the initial quote to the final setup. The panels look great, a...
We had a system which was not producing power installed several years ago by. now closed system installer Sun Power. The team diagnosed the problem, assisted in identifying the original equipment man...
Great work done, and good attitude. The guys were very knowledgeable and friendly. Happy to answer questions and explain things. Very open communication, and able to accommodate time delays on our en...
Sterling Roofing Co
Found some leaking into the house . Callled another place , had to leave a message .Everybody was busy as a lot of rain was happening . Decided I couldn't sit and wait . Tried Sterling .He answered . ...
Consider Sun America Solar and Roofing Co if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, especially on challenging roof types like steel where Sun America Solar has documented specialized experience that most solar contractors lack.
- ✓ You value responsive communication and technical explanations throughout your project, which multiple customers specifically mention as Sun America Solar strengths.
- ✓ You have an existing solar system needing diagnosis or troubleshooting, an area where customers report Sun America Solar successfully solved problems created by other installers.
- ✓ You want predictable service quality based on consistent customer feedback patterns rather than taking a chance on unknowns.
Consider Sterling Roofing Co if...
- ✓ You need straightforward leak repair work and Sterling Roofing's quote is significantly more competitive than alternatives.
- ✓ You've obtained multiple recent references directly from Sterling Roofing that demonstrate consistent quality and professionalism for projects similar to yours.
- ✓ You're located very close to Glen Ellen and prioritize immediate local availability for a simple roofing project.
- ✓ You're comfortable conducting additional due diligence to verify crew experience and recent project outcomes given the limited public track record.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Sterling Roofing for at least three references from projects completed in the past 12 months, and actually call them to ask about communication, timeline adherence, and cleanup.
- → Ask Sterling Roofing how long their current crew has worked together and what their typical project volume looks like annually.
- → If considering solar installation, ask Sun America Solar about warranty coverage for both the solar equipment and the roofing work, and clarify what troubleshooting support they provide after installation.
- → Ask both companies for a detailed timeline with milestones and what their typical response time is for questions during the project.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar panels or need roofing work on a steel roof, Sun America Solar is the clear choice with specialized expertise and 36 years of experience. For standard roofing projects, Sun America Solar still offers more predictable quality based on consistent customer feedback praising their communication, technical knowledge, and professional installation. Sterling Roofing's 21 years licensed provides legitimacy, but the absence of verifiable customer feedback creates real uncertainty about current crew quality and service reliability. Only consider Sterling Roofing if you obtain and verify multiple recent references, their price is substantially better, and your project is straightforward. For most homeowners needing a decision this week, Sun America Solar provides documented reliability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The available data shows Sterling Roofing only documented for leak repair work with no indication of solar capabilities. If you need solar installation, Sun America Solar has 36 years of specialized experience in this area with customer-verified installations. Don't assume Sterling Roofing handles solar without explicit confirmation and references from solar projects they've completed.
This is a legitimate question to ask them directly. Some contractors maintain long licenses but operate at low volume, work primarily through referrals without public reviews, or have changed business focus over time. Ask Sterling Roofing about their typical annual project volume and request recent verifiable references to fill this information gap before hiring.
If you have a metal or steel roof and want solar panels, this expertise is critical—many solar installers won't work with steel roofs due to specialized mounting requirements and leak prevention challenges. Customers specifically mention Sun America Solar handling these installations successfully. For standard composition shingle roofs, this particular advantage matters less, though their overall experience depth still applies.
For a simple, uncomplicated roof on a standard home, the gap matters less than for complex projects. However, 36 years versus 21 years means more experience identifying hidden dry rot, handling unexpected structural issues, and knowing local permit requirements inside and out. The real differentiator here is Sun America Solar's documented customer service patterns versus Sterling Roofing's lack of verifiable feedback—that matters regardless of project complexity.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top roofing contractors in Sonoma.
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Wedge Roofing
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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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