In today’s episode, Letitia Hanke, CEO of ARS Roofing and Founder and Executive Director of The LIME Foundation speaks with Amy Atchley, COO of Amy’s Roofing & Solar.
After 16 years in education, Amy moved into roofing and solar with the mission of helping scale solar as fast as possible. Owner of Amy’s Roofing and Solar and Founder of StarlingRFS, Amy continues to work towards a resilient, sustainable, responsible future for Sonoma County and beyond.
Amy currently serves as the Chair of Petaluma’s Climate Action Commission, Secretary of the Foundation for Credo High School, and she’s one of our LIME Foundation mentors.
Red Flags Homeowners Should Watch Out For
1⃣ “Roof Painting” Is Not a Roofing System: If someone tells you they can paint or coat your roof to make it last another 10 20 years, that is a huge red flag.
Paint does not:
• Fix broken tiles or shingles
• Replace underlayment
• Stop long-term leaks
At best, it’s cosmetic. At worst, it traps moisture and causes hidden rot and mold. A legitimate roof system includes proper materials, flashing, and underlayment, not paint.
2⃣ Solar Companies Saying “You Need a New Roof—We’ll Hire the Roofer”
In California, a solar company cannot legally hire a roofing contractor for you unless:
• They are a licensed General Contractor (B), or
• They hold a C-39 Roofing License
If they don’t have either license, this is illegal and you, the homeowner, take the risk if something goes wrong. You should always hire your roofer directly, before solar goes on.
3⃣ “My Friend Can Fix It Cheap” on Nextdoor or Social Media (This one is extremely common—and very risky.) “I have a friend who can fix your roof cheap”
Here’s what homeowners may not realize:
• That person may be unlicensed
• They may not have workers’ compensation insurance
• Under Cal/OSHA rules, anyone working over 6 feet must use fall protection
If they fall and get hurt, the homeowner can be financially responsible.
4⃣ Comparing Bids That Aren’t Apples-to-Apples
You get a bid from ARS for $40,000 and a bid from 123 Roofing for $20,000, it’s natural to gravitate to the $20,000 bid. Who wouldn’t want to save $20k?
If one bid is significantly lower, ask:
• Are they licensed and insured? CSLB.ca.gov
• What materials are included?
• Is a permit pulled?
• Is there a workmanship warranty?
ARS warranties come directly from the manufacturer. Your roof is one of the biggest investments in your home. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Cheap now often means expensive later.