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    Universal Builders

    3.7 (86 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    Jesse A.

    We hired Universal Builders for a home renovation (paint, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring), and the experience was pretty bad. The project timeline nearly doubled, often with only one worker present. We ultimately paid the final invoice with some pieces still unfinished, and--predictably--it was never completed. It turns out that much the electrical work was unsafe and not to code, requiring thousands of dollars in corrective repairs by a licensed electrician. We have photos, documentation, and dated materials proving responsibility. Paint quality was sloppy, concrete steps were poured unevenly, hardwood floors were damaged, and crews routinely left trash across the property. Items went missing and promised reimbursement was never provided. Poor supervision, zero quality control, and disorganized materials management. Lost original antique door hardware. Based on our experience, we strongly recommend avoiding this company. Disappointing.

    Final roof
    Kurtis R.

    I hired Universal Builders for a full roof replacement and honestly this whole thing turned into a nightmare. When I first met with their salesman Nick (superintendent), he told me straight up they wouldn't be the cheapest, but they'd give me the best quality, send their "A team," and that all the workers were Universal employees, not subcontractors. He promised me a professional job with good communication. That's what I thought I was paying around $30,000 for. Unfortunately, that's not at all how it went. On day one, right after demo, I got hit with a massive change order for plywood decking. Nick had even promised there'd be a bathroom on site, but there wasn't. I had to negotiate the change order down, and then the next day I found out they were installing the wrong plywood thickness -- half-inch instead of the 5/8 I was supposed to get. Half the deck was already laid before I climbed up and caught it myself. They fixed it because I caught it, not because they were paying attention. That set the tone for the whole job. I kept finding sloppy, unacceptable work. Flashing around the AC curb, chimney, and skylight was missing or cut short and filled in with caulk. The cricket behind the AC curb was too short, with a big gap just smeared over with caulking. Vents were caulked with pinholes left. Brand new shingles were scuffed and scratched because nobody bothered to use foam pads. I found razor cuts in the underlayment about to be covered up with shingles. Decking boards not nailed into rafters properly. Bent nails left in rafters, overdriven nails in new shingles. Pee bottles in my attic. Trash left around my property. And nails all through my gravel driveway because nonexistent or poor magnet sweeps until I demanded it. I've had to pull nails out myself just to avoid flat tires. The "A team" Nick promised turned out to be day laborers paid cash by the day, not actual Universal employees. Every time I checked, I found something wrong. Instead of owning it, Nick and his supervisor Tony turned hostile. Tony even called me an "entitled homeowner" who didn't want to pay, and told me "this isn't our first rodeo" and that they had "tools at their disposal." Basically trying to intimidate me instead of fixing the roof. That was it for me, I refused to deal with them anymore. Thank God I have cameras all around my house because every conversation and interaction got recorded. At a certain point I basically had to act like my own lawyer, building a case in case this ended up in court. That's how bad it got. Eventually I escalated things to Lily in their office and Armon, the CEO. Once Lily got involved, things did improve, she was professional and actually seemed to care but by then it was already the end of the project, and all that was left was chasing corrections just to get the roof to pass inspection. In Riverside county roofing contractors can self certify their permit, it's a county policy not something universal made up. But because of the problems not being remediated I wasn't comfortable with this and called the County myself to send out an inspector. Inspector Manuel Leal came out and wrote a correction notice with the same problems I had been pointing out: missing proper flashing around the HVAC curb, chimney flashing that had to go under stucco flashing, a cricket required at the garage to house valley, and vents that had to be properly caulked instead of smeared with caulk and pinholes left. He even noted "more corrections may follow." Without that inspection, Universal would've declared the job done and walked away. In the end, the roof is finally complete, but only because I caught mistake after mistake, documented everything with photos, emails and got the County involved. Without that, this roof would've been signed off unfinished and below standard. For 30K, I shouldn't have to climb my own roof and basically act as superintendent to make sure things are done to code. Even with all that, I still had to let some things slide just to get it over with, brand new shingles that are scratched or missing asphalt, broken pieces of shiplap that weren't damaged before this project started. I've got pictures and video of everything. At this point I just accepted it so I could move on, but it's a reminder of how sloppy this job was. Universal charges premium prices but what I got was poor workmanship, broken promises, bad communication, and misrepresentation of who was even doing the work. If you hire them, make sure everything promised is in writing, document absolutely everything, demand County inspections, and don't sign off until it's verified. The one positive in all of this was Lily, she was professional and helpful but she's not the one out running projects in the field. By the time she got involved, the damage was done. Now I'll wait for the first real rain, check my attic for leaks, and if I find any, it'll be very telling to see how Universal handles fixing them.

    New Roof decking + shingles, and leaf guards installation. ‍
    Jennifer D.

    Professional and polite from start to finish. Timely and clean work. Kind employees at all levels, who prove their wealth of experience. Leo, Alfred, Andrew, Ralph, Nick, Keki, Armenak and a large team of workers who do this all day every day and know all the mandatory details. Highly recommended. So far so good. No complaints. We are consulting them for additional projects as well since our complete roof replacement seems to have gone smoothly. Thank you guys again for turning a nerve wracking worry into a relieving experience. Permits and inspections achieved quickly and roofing done in time for 2025 Jan/Feb rainy season. #LosAngeles #Construction #Roofing #Paint #Stucco #Plaster #LeafGuards #Heroic #Sympathetic #Kind #Polite #Professional #GoodCommunication #Timely #Efficient #Negotiation #PromisesKept #Honest

    The finished work
    Eva H.

    Here is the updated pictures of the new roof... The new roof came.out very nice, clean and with no leaks.

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    3 years ago

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    Lily B.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Service was very professional and satisfied, the roofing was expensive but very beautiful, great job

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    On time and great communication. Impressive. So nice to have a contractor who gets the job done!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Very good customer service! They answered my inquiry very quickly and they are very friendly to talk with.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great customer service, knowledgeable stuff, and professional workers. They are good at measuring and use their time wisely. Very satisfied

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Lily B.

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    3 years ago

    Jake, Arnold, Jacob and Johnny were very helpful with the entire project!

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    3 years ago

    Work was done to my satisfaction. I would highly recommend this company to whomever wants to get their roof done professionally.

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    Lily B.

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    3 years ago

    Great service they've been nothing but amazing vic and chris took care of everything they made sure everything was done in my satisfaction.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Universal Builders

    Review Highlights - Universal Builders

    Huge shout out to Chris for managing the entire process and maintaining contact with me throughout the entire process.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Prime American Roofing

    Prime American Roofing

    (20 reviews)

    Substandard finish and no follow-up on a $25,000+ project…read more I hired Prime America Roofing to apply a silicone coating to my flat roof. The project was completed and the roof is sealed, which is the reason this isn't a one-star review, but the standard of craftsmanship fell well short of what a job of this size and cost should deliver. The problems were not isolated; they accumulated across the work, and several caused damage or follow-on issues that I had to resolve myself. The trouble began during application. The silicone sealer dripped onto the ground below the roofline, and I was fortunate to be walking the property at the time, because I was able to wipe the residue away before it set. Had I not been there, it would have dried in place. The application itself was careless: sealer splattered across my skylights (I have the photos to show it), leaving a mess where there should have been clean, deliberate work. Beyond the cosmetic problems, the crew failed to restore key components to their proper positions. The electrical conduits on the roof, which rest on wood blocks, were not returned to their original placement, and as a result the metal conduits became fused directly onto the dried silicone layer. The condensate drainage line for my AC was also left improperly routed; instead of running cleanly from the unit to the drain, it was left hanging, which caused water to back up into the AC unit and ultimately stopped it from working. The detail that best captures the lack of care was my outdoor bathroom sink. The crew used it to clean their painting equipment and left dried silicone lumps caked across the porcelain. It was filthy. The only way I could remove the buildup was to scrape it off with a straight-edge razor. What pushed my rating down further was the absence of any accountability afterward. I notified the job supervisor of these issues more than two weeks ago and have received no response from the company since. A reputable contractor stands behind its work and addresses legitimate concerns; silence after a $25,000+ project is its own kind of answer. I expected professionalism from start to finish: clean application, components restored to working order, respect for the property, and responsiveness when problems arise. What I received instead was sloppy workmanship, preventable damage to my AC system, a cleanup burden left on me, and no follow-up. Two stars reflects a job that was technically finished but poorly executed and poorly supported.

    Our home sustained significant roof damage during the Santa Ana wind event that ultimately…read morecontributed to the Altadena fires in January 2025. Unfortunately, despite a lengthy back-and-forth with our insurance company, we received only a modest settlement toward the cost of replacing the entire roof. As a result, my wife spent considerable time researching roofing companies in hopes of finding a reputable, licensed contractor that could work within our budget. While several of the companies she contacted were professional and courteous, we ultimately chose Prime American Roofing--and we are extremely glad we did. Our Project Manager, Jonathan, worked closely with us and provided an estimate that fit our budget. He was friendly, communicative, and always available to answer questions or address concerns. His team handled all of the necessary permits through the City of Pasadena, making the process as smooth as possible. Most importantly, the roofing crew did a phenomenal job replacing our roof. The quality of their workmanship exceeded our expectations, and Jonathan and his team truly went the extra mile to ensure we were satisfied with the final result. I'm including some photographs with this review. We highly recommend Prime American Roofing to anyone looking for a licensed, bonded, reliable, professional, and customer-focused roofing company.

    Final Touch Roofing - Charcoal black, presidential shingles 50 year warranty

    Final Touch Roofing

    (235 reviews)

    Valley Village

    This is something I never do but, to continue my commitment to only post positive reviews, I will…read morepost on a company I regret not using. My neighbors (6 total) all used The Final Touch roofing and I did not. I went with a slightly cheaper roofing company and was disappointed. I watch as my neighbors had The Final touch meticulously replace the roofs on their homes. Every detail was addressed, the plywood, the underlayment, the gutters, the tear off and of course, the clean up. This exquisite work was observed as I walked my dog daily and asked questions of my neighbors and the crew working as I was in the market for a new roof. Ovi and his wife are perfectionists and their commitment to quality is unsurpassed. Don't make the mistake I did and go with the cheaper company that promises the same quality, it's not worth it. In the end I didn't save any money, I only got aggravation and excuses from the company I used and will probably have to redo some of the work.

    Final Touch Roofing get an A+, because Ovi and Lia, the owners, are professional and caring people;…read morebecause of remodeling done in my home and a deadline to be met for my home insurance, work to do the roof was put off, but had to be done by a certain date. They understood and it was okay with them,talking the pressure off of me. When I had trouble finishing a digital contract on line,Leah sent her son over and he physically showed me what to do. That really impressed me. Leah went above and beyond a contractor's duty, because she is a real person. Ok, forget how fantastic these owners are and we will talk about the crew of workers. They are efficient and friendly people. They painted the vents on the roof the same color(!), did the boards perfectly (according to my son who commented on their fine job) and they cleaned up the mess, leaving my yard in an immaculate condition.

    AAA Expert Roofing

    AAA Expert Roofing

    (114 reviews)

    Woodland Hills

    I have a small roof leak on my bathroom addition. Inquiry AAA through Yelp and have a promptly…read morefeedback of appointment time. On came out to inspect the roof and pointed out the various problems on the roof, and suggested a full replacement on the bathroom section. I also inquire about work on our garage (though it's not leaking, but it's in need of replacement). On gave me an estimate of work for both garage and bathroom in a terrific value; I was shocked initially since no other contractor has given me such a reasonable estimate. Written and later official estimate was given, and the cost, part, work was exactly as quoted (aside from plywood needed for the garage) On is very genuine and respectful. He maintains a very high level of communication, and you just feel greatly welcomed when talking to him. Out of the 4 days of work done, On is pretty much there every day to inspect and verify proper work is done by the crew. When the crew do finish their work at the end of each day, there is NO mess left behind in the house/garden. Everything is cleaned up and nearly placed by the wall. My wife was shocked and commented that the yard was cleaner than the day before. AAA Expert Roofing did a fantastic job in my home repair, and I'm glad I ve selected them.

    If you need a new roof, look no further than AAA expert roofing, and ask for On. From getting an…read moreestimate to getting the roof installed, to inspections after a storm, On was there, always on time and very responsive. After an absolutely nightmare experience with our roof at the house we bought, I learned that it's actually not that easy to find honest and reliable roofers who are not out to rip you off. I'm very happy with the professionalism of the installers, they completely the job on schedule as promised, and the price we paid was in line with what we expected, given we had gotten estimates from numerous companies. Getting a new roof is no fun for sure, but you need to be in good hands. So give AAA a shot if you do.

    SoCal Roofing Solutions - All wrapped up in Whittier! On to the next! Thank you Laurie and April.

    SoCal Roofing Solutions

    (223 reviews)

    We just completed our roof with SoCal Roofing Solutions and it was by far the best experience we…read morehave ever had dealing with contractors. From the starting process to the completion of the roof. The quality, cleanliness and professionalism that Carlos and his SoCal Roofing crew carry themselves with, make the project truly easy and comforting. The actual roof which Carlos assisted us in choosing (Certain-teed Luxury Presidential Shake TL Solaris Shadow Gray) looks AMAZING!! We have received tons of compliments from family, friends and the neighbors are appreciative for raising the property value of the neighborhood lol. Thank you Carlos and SoCal Roofing for a 5 star service at a very fair price for the quality you get which is hard to get. I would highly recommend SoCal Roofing Solutions with confidence. JR

    I had an excellent experience with So Cal Roofing. They completed a full roof replacement on my…read moresingle-family home, starting early Wednesday morning and finishing by Friday afternoon. The entire project was completed quickly, efficiently, and professionally, without sacrificing quality. Their communication was outstanding from beginning to end. Everyone--from the office staff and project managers to the crew working on the roof--was attentive, responsive, and accommodating to our needs. They kept us informed throughout the process and made sure everything went smoothly. The completed roof passed inspection with the City of Monterey Park, and I am extremely pleased with both the workmanship and the overall experience. So Cal Roofing is an excellent company, and I would highly recommend them to anyone needing roofing work.

    J & J Roofing

    J & J Roofing

    (317 reviews)

    We have been working with J&J Roofing since May of 2022. At that time, we suffered damage in a room…read moreduring the rains and interviewed many roofing contractors. All of the roofing contractors other than J&J Roofing advised us to re-roof our entire house. Even though the front half of the roof of a 50 year roof (which was installed before we owned the house and J&J Roofing as not involved) has not lasted anywhere near 50 years, the front side and back side have worn differently. All of the other roofers would not even re-roof just the front half - it was all or nothing. J&J said that they could easily repair the issue without re-roofing and it cost us less than $500 for them to repair it. The repair worked. Almost four years later (and they had told us that at least the front half of the roof had only a few years remaining), at least the front half of the roof needed to be replaced. Since they had been so fair and honest with us and we were pleased with their work, we did not bid out the project - they got it. As they had said before, only the front half of the roof needed to be replaced at this time (with a possible additional ten years on the back half). We own solar panels and they referred us to someone who agreed to remove and replace the panels for almost half the cost that the company which installed the panels would have charged us. While it's not inexpensive to re-roof a house (even half of a roof), we felt their price was fair, they saved us the additional $3,500 that our solar company would have charged, their staff and crew were and always have been very professional and honest. The roof looks wonderful and they coordinated scheduling for the solar panels to be removed and replaced. They collaborated with that business. We recommend J&J Roofing without hesitation.

    Mike at J&J has been helping for 2 decades keeping my flat roof functioning and dry inside the…read more house. Going back 20 years, when other companies were trying to convince me I needed a full tear-off and re-roof. No, J&j and one other local company said I should try rolling on a layer or two of sealant. I'm glad they opted for a good fix rather than the most expensive fix. I still have the same roof I had at the turn of the century because his crews will come out every year before the rainy season to take preventative measures if there are any problems Today, two if his skilled workers, Alfredo and Alberto, spent most if the day prepping my same old roof to withstand a El Nino winter. Like always, they were on time, good communicators, and hard workers on a pretty hot day. They cleaned up and chatted a few minutes before leaving. I recommend this roofing company which explains they may he booked - give it a try.

    Universal Builders - roofing - Updated August 2026

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