Sutter Roofing Systems vs Sun America Solar and Roofing Co
Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
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 | 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 |
Key Differences
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top roofing contractors in Sonoma.
Other Sonoma Roofing Contractors Comparisons
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Northbay Roofing & Gutters Inc
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ARS Roofing & Gutters
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Capstone Roofing Inc
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Sun America Solar and Roofing Co
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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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