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Wedge Roofing vs First Response Solar
Sonoma Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a roofing specialist with 44 years of experience to a solar contractor with 8 years—these companies serve completely different needs.
| Wedge Roofing | First Response Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 44 years | 8 years |
| License # | 416737 | 1039876 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Petaluma, CA | Sebastopol, CA |
| Website | www.wedgeroofing.com | www.firstresponsesolar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Wedge Roofing
Customers consistently praise Wedge Roofing for organized project execution, clear communication throughout the roofing process, and efficient crews that complete work on schedule with daily cleanup.
First Response Solar
First Response Solar customers highlight the owners' thorough technical explanations, seamless handling of permitting complexities, and ongoing responsiveness years after installation.
Key Takeaway: Wedge operates with crew-based efficiency and moderate owner involvement for roofing projects, while First Response maintains high owner involvement with both brothers directly managing solar consultations and installations.
Customer Reviews
Wedge Roofing
Good work. Excellent
They did work on one of the builldings on my property a few years ago and was taken back by their honesty and professionalism. As the job progressed the problems found no mater how small was brought t...
Wedge Roofing Very happy with my new roof. Worked well with my crew of carpenters to repair storm damage to my residence. Very accommodating with good attention to detail. For example, flashing expe...
First Response Solar
We engaged the expertise of First Response Solar to troubleshoot and offer guidance regarding an inherited-leased system after purchasing our Sonoma home. Dylan and Chaz communicated regularly before ...
First Response Solar has exceptional customer care. I first used them to put on an array of solar panels four years ago and then a bank of back-up batteries last year. While we were away over the wint...
Did everything they said they would on time and on budget, not to mention being a nice couple of dudes. Excellent customer experience.
Consider Wedge Roofing if...
- ✓ Your project involves roof replacement, repair, or coating—this is Wedge's core expertise with 44 years of specialized experience handling complications like hidden damage or tricky flashing details
- ✓ You need storm damage repairs coordinated with insurance claims, where Wedge's long track record and organized project management becomes valuable
- ✓ You're dealing with a flat roof, spray foam application, or older roofing system that requires veteran-level diagnostic skills to assess underlying conditions
- ✓ You value a contractor with decades of local reputation and established crew efficiency for completing projects on schedule
Consider First Response Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels or battery backup systems—this is First Response's specialty, with owners who provide detailed technical consultation on system design and energy production
- ✓ You need a contractor who will handle the complex permitting and utility interconnection process, where First Response has demonstrated seamless coordination that requires minimal homeowner involvement
- ✓ You want high owner involvement and direct access to the brothers who run the business, rather than working primarily with crew foremen
- ✓ You're considering whether solar makes financial sense for your property and appreciate their reputation for honest assessments, even when that means advising against installation
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If you need both solar and roofing work: Ask First Response Solar who they recommend for roofing repairs before panel installation, and ask Wedge Roofing about their experience coordinating with solar contractors for panel removal during re-roofing
- → Ask First Response Solar about their process for assessing roof condition before installing panels and whether they subcontract any roofing repairs or handle them in-house
- → Ask Wedge Roofing about their experience working around existing solar installations if you're re-roofing a home with panels already in place
The Bottom Line
These companies don't compete—they serve entirely different needs. If you need roofing work, hire Wedge Roofing and benefit from 44 years of specialized experience handling every roofing complication Sonoma County weather can create. If you're installing solar panels or battery systems, hire First Response Solar for their technical expertise and seamless permitting process. The only decision point is if you need both: complete all roofing work with Wedge first, ensuring your roof has sufficient remaining life, then bring in First Response for solar installation. Don't let a solar contractor assess major roofing needs, and don't expect a roofing company to design your solar array—hire the right specialist for each job.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The data shows First Response specializes in solar installations and offers panel removal/reinstallation for roofing projects, suggesting they coordinate with roofing contractors rather than performing roof work themselves. Ask them directly whether they subcontract roofing repairs or if you need to hire a separate roofing contractor like Wedge before solar installation. This is a critical question if your roof needs work before adding the weight of solar panels.
Wedge Roofing specializes in roofing systems, not solar electrical work. However, their project list includes skylight installations and coordination with other trades on storm repairs, indicating they can work alongside solar contractors. If you need both a new roof and solar panels, you'll likely need to hire both companies and coordinate the timeline, with roofing typically completed first.
Start with Wedge Roofing to assess and complete roof work first, since solar panels should only be installed on a roof with at least 10-15 years of remaining life. Once the roof is sound, bring in First Response Solar for panel installation. Installing solar on an aging roof means paying for expensive panel removal and reinstallation within a few years when the roof fails.
Absolutely. Wedge's 44 years means deep expertise in roofing complications, while First Response's 8 years is solid for solar but reflects less time encountering rare issues. For roofing decisions, Wedge's veteran experience is invaluable. For solar system design and utility coordination, First Response has built sufficient expertise over 8 years, especially given the brothers' high involvement and strong permitting track record.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar 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 12, 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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