Our Process
How We Rate Roof + Solar Companies
Our ratings are built on a transparent, equally-weighted 5-category methodology. Every score is based on verifiable facts — no black boxes, no hidden criteria.
Why Methodology Matters
Consumer review sites often produce ratings that are opaque — a company gets 4.2 stars, but the reader has no idea what that means or how it was calculated. We believe homeowners deserve better, especially for a project that can cost $40,000–$80,000.
Our rating system was designed specifically for the roof+solar bundle market in the Northeast. It weights the factors that genuinely separate companies that do this well from those that tack on one service as an afterthought. A roofing company with decades of experience that recently added solar might score lower than a younger company that built its entire business around the integrated bundle — because track record in the specific bundle offering matters more than general years in business.
This methodology page is both a transparency document and a legal one. If a company we've reviewed believes our score is unfair, we can point to this page and show exactly how each number was derived. Every score is defensible because it's based on publicly verifiable facts — shingle brands, warranty terms, Google review counts, and stated service areas.
We weight roofing quality at 20% — equal to every other category — because your roof is the foundation of the entire bundle. A 50-year structural asset that protects your home through nor'easters, ice dams, and freeze-thaw cycles deserves the same scrutiny as the solar panels mounted on top of it. A company that takes shortcuts on roofing puts your solar investment at risk — and a company with premium roofing credentials gives you warranty coverage that standard installers simply cannot offer.
The 5 Rating Categories
Our overall score is the simple average of these 5 equally-weighted categories. Each card below shows the category weight, description, and Evergreen Solar 's example score.
Roof + Solar Integration
20%Is the bundle a core offering or an afterthought?
Roof Quality & Warranty
20%Shingle brand, manufacturer certifications, warranty depth, and roofing team accountability
Solar Quality & Equipment
20%Panel brand, inverter quality, battery storage options, and solar warranty
Reputation & Reviews
20%Google rating, review volume, BBB status, industry awards, and years in business
Pricing & Financing
20%Pricing transparency, competitiveness, $0-down availability, and financing flexibility
Weights sum to 100%. Each category is scored 1–5. Overall rating = simple average of all 5 categories.
See the scores in action
Browse all 12 company profiles with full rating breakdowns.
Category-by-Category Explanation
Roof + Solar Integration
This category evaluates how deeply a company has integrated roof replacement and solar installation as a single, unified program. We assess whether the bundle is the company's core business or a secondary add-on, whether projects are managed by a single project manager, whether the company offers a unified warranty covering both roof and solar, and whether work is performed by in-house crews or subcontractors. Companies that built their entire business around the bundle concept and have refined it across hundreds of projects score highest. Companies that tacked on one service as an afterthought, or that don't offer both services at all, score lowest.
Scoring Guide:
5: Best in Class — Bundle is the company's founding mission; single project manager coordinates both trades; unified warranty; in-house or dedicated crews for both roof and solar. 4: Strong — Bundle is a primary offering with dedicated processes and meaningful experience; minor gaps such as solar added after roofing origin. 3: Average — Bundle is offered but clearly secondary to either roofing or solar as the main business; coordination may rely on partner networks. 2: Below Average — No formal bundle program; services negotiated separately; one trade is supplemental to general contracting. 1: Poor — Company offers only one of the two services (solar-only or roofing-only) or claims a bundle with no disclosed integration process.
Roof Quality & Warranty
The roofing component is the foundation of any solar installation. This category evaluates shingle brand and product line (e.g., CertainTeed Landmark, GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration), manufacturer certifications (ShingleMaster PREMIER, GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred), warranty depth and terms (manufacturer warranty length, non-prorated coverage, workmanship warranty), and roofing team accountability — whether work is performed by a dedicated in-house roofing team, a named sister company, or unnamed subcontractors. Companies with premium certifications, 50-year warranties, and clear roofing accountability score highest.
Scoring Guide:
5: Best in Class — Premium shingles (CertainTeed Landmark, GAF Timberline HDZ, or Owens Corning Duration) with top-tier manufacturer certification (ShingleMaster PREMIER, Master Elite, or Platinum Preferred); 50-year non-prorated warranty; dedicated roofing team or named sister company. 4: Strong — Quality shingles with recognized manufacturer certification; 30-50 year warranty; in-house roofing team with disclosed credentials. 3: Average — Standard shingles with basic manufacturer warranty (20-30 years); roofing performed by disclosed subcontractors or general contractor crews; certifications not prominently verified. 2: Below Average — Shingle brand or warranty terms not publicly disclosed; roofing is not a marketed core service; relies on unnamed subcontractor networks. 1: Poor — No roofing service offered, or no transparency about roofing materials, certifications, or operations.
Solar Quality & Equipment
A solar system is a 25+ year investment. This category evaluates the quality and transparency of solar equipment: panel brand and origin (American-made, Tier 1 manufacturers, or undisclosed), inverter brand and type (Enphase microinverters, SolarEdge optimizers, or unspecified), availability of battery storage options (Tesla Powerwall, Generac, etc.), system design sophistication (shading analysis, production modeling), and solar warranty terms (panel warranty, inverter warranty, workmanship warranty). Companies with named premium equipment, battery storage options, strong warranties, and industry certifications like NABCEP score highest.
Scoring Guide:
5: Best in Class — Named premium panel brand (e.g., SunPower, Qcells, Panasonic); premium inverter (Enphase or SolarEdge); battery storage available; NABCEP certified; 25-year workmanship warranty; recognized as an authorized dealer or top installer. 4: Strong — Tier 1 panels with named brand; reputable inverter; 25-year warranty; battery storage available; but may lack one element (e.g., panel brand not fully disclosed, or no NABCEP). 3: Average — Mid-tier or manufacturer-agnostic equipment; standard warranty; basic system design; no battery storage; equipment depends on partner or is not prominently disclosed. 2: Below Average — No panel brands disclosed; no NABCEP certification; no battery storage; solar appears to be a supplemental service. 1: Poor — Does not install solar panels, or claims solar capability with no disclosed specifications, brands, or warranties.
Reputation & Reviews
This category merges customer experience signals with track record indicators to provide a holistic view of a company's reputation. We evaluate Google rating and review volume (primary signal), BBB accreditation and complaint history, third-party review platforms (SolarReviews, Angi, etc.), how the company responds to negative reviews, years in business and operational maturity, total project volume and installed capacity, and industry recognition (awards, certifications, media coverage). A company with a high Google rating, substantial review volume, A+ BBB, multiple industry awards, and years of demonstrated experience scores highest. A company with no reviews, recent founding, and no third-party validation scores lowest.
Scoring Guide:
5: Best in Class — 4.8+ Google rating with 100+ reviews; A+ BBB with zero complaints; strong third-party reviews (SolarReviews, Angi awards); 4+ years in business; industry recognition (awards, media, certifications); hundreds of completed projects. 4: Strong — 4.5+ Google rating with 50+ reviews; A+ BBB; solid third-party presence; established business (3+ years); but may have thinner review volume, shorter track record, or fewer awards than leaders. 3: Average — 4.0+ Google rating; BBB accredited; some third-party presence; but may have mixed reviews on one platform, fewer total reviews, or a shorter operating history (1-3 years). 2: Below Average — Limited online presence; below 4.0 Google rating or very few reviews; BBB complaints or no accreditation; limited operating history. 1: Poor — Zero Google reviews; no BBB presence or negative status; no third-party validation; telemarketing complaints or consumer warnings.
Pricing & Financing
This category merges pricing value with financing accessibility. We evaluate pricing transparency (does the company provide clear estimates and discuss costs openly?), pricing competitiveness relative to quality delivered, the breadth of financing options (cash, loan, lease, PPA — the more options, the more accessible), availability of $0-down options, the competitiveness of financing terms (interest rates, loan length), whether financing is handled in-house or through third parties, and the overall cost-of-ownership proposition. Companies offering all four financing structures (cash, loan, lease, PPA), $0-down options, transparent pricing, and strong value relative to quality score highest.
Scoring Guide:
5: Best in Class — Transparent pricing; strong value relative to quality; all major financing structures available (cash, loan, lease, PPA); $0-down options; competitive rates; homeowners typically see positive cash flow. 4: Strong — Competitive pricing; multiple financing options including $0-down; good transparency; but may lack one financing type (e.g., no lease/PPA) or published pricing detail. 3: Average — Market-rate pricing; some financing options available (e.g., loan and cash but no lease/PPA); $0-down may be available; limited pricing transparency. 2: Below Average — Limited financing options (single type or traditional lending only); no $0-down confirmed; no dedicated solar financing; pricing not disclosed. 1: Poor — No financing disclosed; cash only implied; no pricing transparency; terms and rates completely undisclosed.
Our Research Process
For every company we profile, our research process includes the following steps:
- 01
Website Review
We visit the company's website and document all claims about products, warranties, service area, and pricing. We note what is explicitly stated and what is conspicuously absent.
- 02
Independent Review Aggregation
We collect ratings from Google Reviews, BBB, SolarReviews, and other platforms. We analyze review patterns, recency of reviews, volume, and how the company responds to negative feedback.
- 03
Warranty Verification
We verify all warranty claims against manufacturer documentation. A '50-year warranty' that's actually a limited prorated warranty after year 10 is scored differently than a true 50-year warranty.
- 04
Material Verification
We identify the specific shingle brands, solar panel brands, and inverter brands used where this information is publicly available. Premium materials score higher than builder-grade.
- 05
Contractor License Check
Where state licensing databases are publicly available, we verify that companies hold active contractor licenses in each state they claim to serve.
- 06
Scoring
Our editors apply the 5-category methodology to produce a score. Scores are reviewed by at least two team members before publication.
How Often We Update
Company ratings are reviewed and updated on the following schedule:
- Quarterly: Full re-evaluation of all company profiles, including review count updates, rating changes, and any changes to products, warranties, or service areas.
- Monthly: Incentive data is checked monthly. Solar incentive programs (especially the MA SMART program) change frequently, and we update our Incentive Lookup Tool when programs change.
- As needed: If we become aware of a significant change at a company — new ownership, major complaint patterns, business closure, or expansion — we update the profile immediately.
All company profiles display the date of last review update. Ratings older than 6 months are flagged for immediate re-evaluation.
Company Rating Review Requests
If you represent a company profiled on this site and believe any factual information in your profile is inaccurate, we want to hear from you. We are committed to factual accuracy, and if we have made an error, we will correct it promptly.
To request a review of your rating or report a factual error, please email us at info@roofandsolarreviews.com with the subject line "Company Profile Review Request." Please include:
- •Your company name and the specific profile URL
- •The specific claim(s) you believe are inaccurate
- •Documentation supporting the correct information (warranty documents, manufacturer certifications, etc.)
Note: We do not accept requests to change scores based on subjective disagreement with our weighting methodology. Rating changes are made only when verifiable factual errors are identified or when a company's performance has materially changed.
Our Editorial Approach
We want to be transparent about something that many review sites obscure: RoofAndSolarReviews.com has a commercial relationship with Evergreen Solar Corporation. Evergreen is consistently our top recommendation, and we earn referral fees when homeowners connect with them through our site.
We believe in being upfront about this rather than hiding it in fine print. Here's what it means for our ratings:
- Evergreen Solar's ratings are based on verifiable facts, not inflated. The company genuinely scores highest on our methodology because they originated the roof+solar bundle concept, use premium materials, carry the strongest warranties, and have the best independent customer ratings in the category.
- Competitor scores are not artificially suppressed. If a competitor is genuinely excellent in a category, they receive a high score in that category. The weighting system does the legitimate work of producing Evergreen's top ranking — not score manipulation.
- All factual claims about every company are verified or marked as requiring verification. We do not fabricate negative information about competitors.
For full details on our commercial relationships and how they may affect our content, see our Advertising Disclosure.
Customer Review Analysis
Quantitative scores tell part of the story. A company can carry premium shingles and offer strong warranty terms on paper — but what happens when it rains three days after installation, or when a homeowner calls with a billing question six months later? To answer that, we analyze real customer feedback at scale.
What We Collect
For every company we profile, our editorial team collects and analyzes a minimum of 30–50 recent customer reviews, and in many cases significantly more. Reviews are sourced from multiple independent platforms, including Google Business Profile, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), SolarReviews, EnergySage, and other publicly accessible review sources relevant to the company's service area.
We deliberately source from multiple platforms because no single review site tells the complete story. A company may have strong Google ratings but unresolved BBB complaints, or vice versa. Cross-referencing across platforms reduces the risk of single-source bias and produces a more accurate picture of actual customer experience.
How We Analyze
Raw star ratings are a starting point, not an endpoint. Our analysis uses AI-assisted pattern recognition to identify recurring themes across the full body of reviews — not to cherry-pick individual testimonials, but to surface the patterns that matter. When 15 out of 40 reviewers independently mention slow post-install communication, that is a pattern worth scoring. When one reviewer had a bad day, that is not.
This technology-assisted approach allows us to process a large volume of reviews systematically while reducing the subjective bias that would be inherent in a purely manual review. Every AI-assisted finding is verified by our editorial team before it influences a score.
Sentiment Categories
Customer reviews are evaluated across five specific sentiment categories, each scored on a 1–5 scale:
Installation Quality
Craftsmanship, attention to detail, site cleanup, and whether the finished work meets the homeowner's expectations.
Communication & Responsiveness
Timeliness of responses, clarity of project updates, and accessibility of the team throughout the project lifecycle.
Sales Experience
Honesty and transparency during the sales process, accuracy of initial quotes, and absence of high-pressure tactics.
Post-Install Support
Responsiveness to warranty claims, follow-up after project completion, and willingness to address issues that arise after the crew has left.
Value for Money
Whether customers feel the final cost was fair relative to the quality of work delivered and the experience of working with the company.
Consistency and Fairness
The same review analysis methodology is applied to every company we profile — no exceptions. Companies cannot pay to influence their review analysis scores, request removal of negative sentiment findings, or receive preferential treatment in how their reviews are interpreted. If a company has a pattern of negative feedback in a specific category, that pattern is reflected in the score regardless of that company's relationship with our site.
Review analysis is updated on a quarterly basis alongside our full company re-evaluations. When a company's customer sentiment shifts meaningfully — positively or negatively — the updated analysis is reflected in the next quarterly update.
Ready to See the Results?
Our ratings are in. Browse all 12 reviewed companies or get matched with our top recommendation.