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Sutter Roofing Systems vs Sun America Solar and Roofing Co

Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Sun America Solar brings 36 years of solar and roofing expertise versus Sutter's 1 year licensed, making this a choice between deep technical knowledge and fast turnaround on roofing-only work.

Sutter Roofing Systems: Sutter Roofing Systems is a newer roofing specialist known for fast turnaround, efficient crews, and handling standard roof replacements with strong cleanup practices.
Sun America Solar and Roofing Co: Sun America Solar is a 36-year veteran contractor specializing in solar installations with full roofing capabilities, particularly for challenging projects like steel roofs and system troubleshooting.
Note: Sutter Roofing Systems has only 1 year licensed, which means limited track record for diagnosing hidden structural issues or handling unexpected complications during tear-offs.
Sutter Roofing Systems Sun America Solar and Roofing Co
Rating 4.7 5.0
Years Licensed 1 years 36 years
License # 1137426 597784
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Sebastopol, CA Petaluma, CA
Website www.sutterroofingsystems.com www.sunamericasolar.org

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Key Differences

The most significant difference is experience and specialization. Sun America Solar's 36 years licensed means three and a half decades of encountering hidden rot, structural complications, and unusual roof configurations—the kind of diagnostic judgment that only comes from hundreds of projects. Sutter's 1 year licensed means the company is still building that experiential knowledge base, though customer feedback shows they handle standard tear-offs and replacements competently. Your project type matters enormously here: if you're considering solar installation now or in the future, Sun America Solar handles the full integration in-house, eliminating coordination headaches between separate solar and roofing contractors. Their steel roof capability and system troubleshooting expertise suggest technical depth beyond standard roofing. Sutter focuses exclusively on roofing and excels at execution speed—customers note one-to-two-day completions and daily cleanup. Both maintain similar insurance and bond coverage, so the differentiator is whether your project benefits more from veteran diagnostic expertise and solar integration capability, or from a focused roofing specialist with fast turnaround.

What Customers Say

Sutter Roofing Systems

Customers emphasize Sutter's execution speed and efficiency, with roofs completed in one to two days, professional crews, daily cleanup, and quick response times throughout the estimating and scheduling process.

Sun America Solar and Roofing Co

Customers highlight Sun America Solar's technical problem-solving ability and communication quality, particularly their expertise with challenging installations like steel roofs and their capacity to diagnose and repair systems installed by other contractors.

Key Takeaway: Sutter's feedback centers on fast, clean execution of standard roofing work, while Sun America Solar's reviews emphasize technical depth and the ability to handle specialized or complicated projects that other contractors decline or cannot diagnose.

Customer Reviews

Sutter Roofing Systems

Jan 2026

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.

Jan 2026

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!

Oct 2025

Incredibly fast and professional.

Sun America Solar and Roofing Co

Oct 2025

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...

Sep 2025

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...

Apr 2025

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...

Consider Sutter Roofing Systems if...

  • You need a straightforward roof replacement on a standard residential structure without complications, and fast completion is a priority for your schedule.
  • Your roof scope is clear-cut with no solar considerations now or planned, and you've already identified the extent of repairs needed beyond the roofing surface.
  • You value responsive communication and want a crew known for maintaining clean job sites daily throughout the project.
  • Your budget is tight and you're comparing competitive bids for standard asphalt shingle or composition roof work without specialized requirements.
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Consider Sun America Solar and Roofing Co if...

  • You're planning solar panel installation now or within the next 5-10 years and want a single contractor who can coordinate roofing and solar work without finger-pointing between trades.
  • Your roof involves challenging materials like steel, or your home has unusual structural characteristics that benefit from a contractor who's seen thousands of roof configurations.
  • You have an existing solar system that needs troubleshooting, expansion, or integration with new roofing work, particularly if it was installed by another company.
  • You want the depth of experience that comes from 36 years of diagnosing hidden damage, handling permit complications, and solving problems that only reveal themselves during tear-off.
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • Ask Sutter for references from projects completed in the past year that involved unexpected structural repairs or complications discovered during tear-off, and how those were diagnosed and resolved.
  • Ask Sun America Solar for a detailed timeline and crew size for your roofing-only project if solar isn't in scope, and confirm their pricing is competitive with roofing-focused contractors.
  • If you're considering solar at all, ask Sun America Solar what roofing upgrades they recommend now to avoid having to remove and reinstall panels later.
  • Ask both contractors how they handle change orders when hidden damage is discovered, including their process for documenting conditions and getting your approval before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

If you need roofing work only and have a straightforward replacement on a standard home, Sutter Roofing Systems offers fast, efficient execution with strong customer feedback on crew professionalism and cleanup, though their 1 year licensed status means limited experience with complications. If your project involves any solar considerations now or later, challenging roof materials like steel, or an older roof where hidden damage is likely, Sun America Solar's 36 years of licensed experience provides vastly more diagnostic capability and problem-solving depth. For most homeowners with complex needs or solar interest, the experience gap is too significant to overlook. For simple replacements where speed matters and you've confirmed the scope is clear-cut, Sutter's focused roofing approach works. Ask Sutter for recent complication references and Sun America Solar for roofing-only timelines before deciding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily, but it does mean limited track record. Customer feedback shows Sutter handles standard tear-offs and replacements competently with good crew practices. However, 1 year licensed means fewer projects completed and less experience diagnosing hidden structural issues like rotted trusses or code violations that only reveal themselves once shingles come off. For straightforward replacements on newer homes, this matters less. For older roofs or homes with past leak history, veteran experience provides more diagnostic confidence.

It depends on your roof's complexity and risk tolerance. Sun America Solar's decades of experience mean they've encountered virtually every complication that can hide under shingles—structural damage, inadequate ventilation, code issues—and know how to resolve them without delays or disputes. Sutter's speed is valuable if your project is straightforward and timeline is critical. If your roof is older, has a history of leaks, or involves structural unknowns, the diagnostic advantage of 36 years outweighs a few extra days of work.

The data doesn't specify Sun America Solar's typical roof replacement timeline, so ask them directly. Sutter's speed is a documented strength in customer feedback, with efficient crews and fast turnaround noted repeatedly. Sun America Solar's focus on solar installations may mean different crew scheduling and project pacing. If completion speed is critical, get a written timeline commitment from Sun America Solar and compare it against Sutter's estimated schedule for your specific project size.

Absolutely. If solar is even a possibility in the next decade, using Sun America Solar now avoids the expensive hassle of removing and reinstalling panels later when roofing maintenance is needed. They can also prep your roof structure and electrical during this project to make future solar installation faster and cheaper. If solar is definitively not in your plans, this advantage disappears and you're simply comparing roofing capabilities—where Sutter's focus and speed may better match a roofing-only need.

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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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