Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in San Francisco, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in San Francisco?

The licensing and regulation of roofing contractors that operate in San Francisco is handled at the state level by the California Department of Consumer Affairs through its Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Per the requirements of this board, roofing contractors that wish to bid for or work on projects in the city worth $500 or more, cost of materials and labor inclusive, must hold a valid contractor license before doing so.

Individuals who wish to obtain CSLB-issued contractor licenses for roof work will have to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include:

• They must be 18 years or older
• They must correctly complete and submit an Application for Original Contractor License Form to the CSLB and pay a stipulated non-refundable application fee.
• They must have at least four years of roofing work experience attained at no lower than the journeyman level and submit acceptable and verifiable documentation as proof of this experience. Note that this experience must also have been attained no more than 10 years before the application for the contractor license is made.

Applicants who successfully submit the application forms and all additional documentation are typically provided a date and location for a CSLB-administered examination, which they must pass before they can receive the requested contractor licenses. However, the CSLB runs a reciprocity program under which applicants who already hold valid state-issued licenses from Arizona, Nevada, and Louisiana may waive the trade portion of its licensing examination. Also, successful applicants will be expected to comply with board-mandated insurance and bonding requirements during the validity period of their contractor licenses.

You can contact the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 to get additional information on its licensing process for roofing contractors that wish to operate in San Francisco. Note that offering roofing services in the city without proper licensing is considered a misdemeanor offense, and violators can receive statutory and administrative penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, six months of jail time, or a combination of both. You can confirm that your intended roofing contractors have met all necessary CSLB licensing requirements and hold valid contractor licenses by calling (800) 321-2752 or by utilizing the online license check portal the board provides for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?

Confirming how much your intended roofers charge for their services is important before commencing any roofing work on your home. This way, you can ensure that the work done stays within your budget and prevent financial misunderstandings with your roofer at the end of the day. Note that the cost of roofing services in San Francisco is typically influenced by a number of factors, such as:

• The size of the roof to be replaced, repaired, or installed
• The type of roofing materials to be used
• The roof design and style
• Your location within the city
• Your roofing contractor's experience and local reputation
• The labor intensity of the roofing project

It is always a good idea to get and compare cost estimates for your roofing project from at least three different roofers in the city before selecting one within your price range. Note that costs should not be your sole deciding factor when searching for roofers in San Francisco. You should also consider criteria like the roofer's licensing status and area of specialization. Also, be wary of roofers who submit cost estimates that are noticeably higher or lower than the other estimates you receive for your project, as this is usually an indication of unscrupulous behavior on the part of the roofer.

Roofers in San Francisco earn an average wage of $68,190 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in San Francisco and those of roofers in other areas of California, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the San Francisco Building Code?

Section 106A of the San Francisco Building Code stipulates that a permit must be obtained from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (SFDBI) before the construction, alteration, improvement, modification, or repair of buildings or structures in the city. However, exemptions are typically made for the following types of roofing projects:

• Reroofing projects that do not involve the installation, repair, or removal of the roof sheathing, provided that the total surface area being reroofed within any 12-month period does not exceed 25 percent of the roof's entire surface area
• Roofing projects involving small residential rooftop solar energy systems provided that these systems are not installed on buildings that are designated landmarks. Note that other types of SFDBI-issued permits may be required for these projects

Building permits in San Francisco are typically issued to state-licensed contractors, property owners, or authorized agents of these contractors or property owners. Applications for these permits can be made by completing and submitting an Application for Building Permit Additions, Alterations, or Repairs (Building Form 3/8) to the SFDBI at:

Note that, depending on the specific nature and scope of the roofing project, the submission of project plans and other additional forms and documents may be required. To this end, applicants are advised to contact the city's Planning Counter at (628) 652-7300 to find out the specific requirements for their roofing project before making their permit requests.

Alternatively, permit applications for roofing projects can be submitted online via the SFDBI's Building Permitting and Inspection Scheduling Platform. Note that online applications can only be made by state-licensed contractors who also complete a voluntary local contractor registration process. Queries related to this process and online permit applications can be directed to (628) 652-3320.

Once all required documents have been submitted and stipulated fees paid, these submitted documents will be reviewed by the SFDBI and any other relevant agencies, following which the requested permits will be issued. It is important to note that permitted roofing projects are subject to inspection by the SFDBI's Housing Inspection Services Division to ensure that the work done complies with the San Francisco Housing Code and other pertinent city regulations. You can contact this division at (628) 652-3700 to get more information on its procedures for roofing project inspections.

Additional information or general inquiries related to the processes and requirements for obtaining roofing permits in San Francisco can be directed to the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection by calling its main line at (628) 652-3200 or via email.

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

When looking for qualified roofing contractors in San Francisco, the area of specialization of your prospective roofer is a crucial factor to consider. It is essential to confirm that the roofer you employ is qualified to provide services tailored to your individual roof design and preferred roofing material to ensure that you receive good service at the end of the day. Common types of roofing materials handled by professional roofing contractors in San Francisco include:

• Asphalt roofing
• Metal roofing
• Slate roofing
• Tile roofing
• Clay/terracotta roofing
• Composite roofing
• Silicon roofing

Similarly, professional roofing contractors in San Francisco typically provide a wide range of roofing services to interested parties in the city, including:

• Roof inspections
• Roof damage repairs
• Roof maintenance
• Roof restorations
• New roof installations
• Roof replacements
• Roof leakage repairs and waterproofing

Notwithstanding this, you should always verify that your intended roofing contractor has the necessary equipment and experience to deliver the specific types of roofing services you require before signing any contracts with them. It is also crucial to agree on the contractor's rates for these services before they start any work.

Listed below are cost estimates for some of the most regularly requested roofing services in San Francisco. Note that variables like the nature and scope of your requested service, the reputation of your roofing contractor, and your location within the city will all influence the actual cost of these roofing services:

Estimates based on task:

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in San Francisco?

Roofers that wish to offer their services to residents of San Francisco are mandated by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to post and maintain a $15,000 surety bond and also carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, where applicable. Also, even though they do not have to carry general liability insurance, roofers in the city who wish to offer residential roofing services are required by law to inform customers about their liability insurance status.

Roofing was the third most dangerous occupation in the United States in 2020, with workers in this industry recording a fatal work injury rate of 47 per 100,000 workers during this period. Given the high-risk nature of this occupation, verifying your intended roofer's insurance status before finalizing any hiring arrangements with them is critical. If you fail to do so, you may be held liable for any accidents or property damage that occurs while they provide your required roofing services.

As such, always ask for copies of your intended roofer's insurance and bond certificates and authenticate them with the relevant issuing organization. Also, even though roofers in San Francisco are not required to carry general liability insurance, it is always in your best interest to make sure that your intended roofer does, as this insurance protects you from third-party bodily harm and unintentional property damage.

You can contact the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 to inquire or get additional information on the bonding and insurance requirements for San Francisco roofers.