City and County of San Francisco
Roof replacement
in San Francisco
San Francisco homes are among the oldest in the Bay Area, and many sit under flat roofs that need membranes, not shingles. We explain what a reroof costs here, how DBI's permit works and when replacement beats another patch, then connect you with an independent, licensed C-39 roofer for a free written estimate.
Every roofer we work with is licensed, insured and highly reviewed by Bay Area homeowners.
- Licensed and insured
- Active C-39 license, checked on CSLB
- Full replacements and reroofs
- Free written estimates
Get a free quote
An independent, licensed roofer will contact you to schedule an inspection.
Thanks, we got it.
A licensed roofer will contact you to schedule an inspection. If water is coming in now, put a bucket under the leak and keep people away from sagging ceilings.
- Active C-39 roofing license, checked on CSLB
- Contractor's bond and workers' comp on file
- Tear-off, permit and warranty paperwork handled
- Free written estimate, no obligation
Who does the work?
Licensed, insured and well reviewed. We only refer roofers we'd hire ourselves. Your request goes to an independent contractor focused on full roof replacements in San Francisco.
- Licensed and checked. An active California C-39 roofing license, with a contractor's bond and workers' compensation on file with the Contractors State License Board. We check the record before we send requests, and you can check it yourself.
- Replacement, start to finish. Inspection, tear-off down to the deck, sheathing repairs, underlayment and flashing, the new roof, cleanup, and the permit through final inspection.
- The materials Bay Area roofs need. Asphalt shingle, metal and low-slope systems, with Class A fire-rated assemblies where your zone calls for them.
- Warranties in writing. Your written contract should spell out the manufacturer's material warranty and the roofer's own workmanship warranty before any work starts.
How getting a quote works
Three steps. You stay in control of the decision.
Tell us about the home and the roof
Use the short form: whether you own it, roughly how old the roof is, your timeline and your city.
We pass your request to a vetted, licensed roofer
An independent C-39 contractor who replaces roofs in San Francisco receives your request.
The roofer inspects and prices the replacement
They schedule an inspection and give you a written estimate. It's free for homeowners, and you're never obligated to hire anyone.
What should I read first?
Plain-English roof replacement guides for San Francisco homeowners, with sources on every page. See all guides.
What does a new roof cost in San Francisco?
What drives the price on San Francisco's flat and pitched roofs.
Should I repair or replace my roof?
Age, damage and the code limit on layers.
How long does a roof last in San Francisco?
Lifespan by material, and how local weather changes it.
What are the signs I need a new roof?
A checklist you can start from the ground.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
How it works in San Francisco, city by city.
Does my new roof have to be Class A?
Fire zones and fire-rated roofs.
Is El Niño a reason to replace my roof this winter?
NOAA's 2026–27 outlook and timing your replacement.
How much does a new roof cost for my size home in San Francisco?
Turn your home's size into roofing squares and cost factors.
Why do so many San Francisco roofs need replacing now?
Half of San Francisco's housing was built before 1946, the earliest median of any Bay Area county. DataSF lists 3,714 residential reroof permits issued in 2025 and 4,014 in 2024, the two busiest full years in the city's permit file since at least 2010.
The work clusters on the west side: across the last 25 years, Sunset/Parkside logged 9,080 residential reroof permits, West of Twin Peaks 6,830 and the Outer Richmond 4,207 (DataSF building permits).
| Area | Median year built | Owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 1946 | 139,057 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035 and B25003), via Census Reporter.
Which San Francisco neighborhoods do you serve?
We cover the City and County of San Francisco, including:
Who runs this site?
SF Roof Replacement is an independent referral service, not a roofing contractor. We don't do roofing work, set prices or inspect roofs. Roofers may pay us for referrals. Read more about us.
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San Francisco roof questions
Does a flat roof in San Francisco need a different roofer?
Usually a roofer who installs membrane systems, such as modified bitumen or single-ply, rather than only shingles. Ask each bidder which low-slope system they propose and how they handle parapets and drains.
Who issues reroof permits in San Francisco?
The Department of Building Inspection. A licensed C-39 contractor can apply online on PermitSF when no structural work is needed; fees vary by valuation; see DBI's current fee schedule.
Is a cool roof required on a San Francisco home?
Not prescriptively. All of San Francisco is in climate zone 3, outside the zones where the 2025 Energy Code requires a cool roof on a home reroof.
Ready for a written replacement estimate?
Request a quote and a vetted, licensed roofer who replaces roofs in San Francisco will follow up. Free for homeowners. No obligation.
Request my free quote