Table of Contents
Introduction
In this article, I’ll give you the typical costs for installing a new roof in California in 2025, for both residential and commercial buildings. I’ve spent years researching roofing costs for my clients, and the roof cost estimates I provide here were produced by analyzing current material prices, California labor rates, and other relevant factors, including roofing project values from actual California building permit data (adjusted for the typical under-reporting). The roof systems covered here include asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate, tile, synthetic composite, cedar shakes, and all of the common types of low-slope commercial roofing.
California is geographically diverse, with varied climate zones ranging from coastal Mediterranean and hot-dry inland valleys to alpine and desert regions, so roofing recommendations and requirements can vary significantly by region. Roof replacement costs in California are significantly higher than the national average due to high labor costs, stringent building codes, and wildfire and strict energy-efficiency requirements.
Actual roof costs will depend on roof size, pitch, complexity, and your choice of roofing material. Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing material in California, but standing-seam metal roofing, clay or concrete tile, and synthetic composite shingles are also widely used, especially in coastal and fire-prone areas. Commercial “flat” (properly “low-slope”) roofs typically use single-ply membranes (EPDM, TPO, PVC) or modified bitumen.
On average, residential roof replacement costs in California typically range from around $7 per square foot for asphalt shingles up to about $45 per square foot for high-end copper or slate. That means a typical 1,700-square-foot roof may cost between $12,000 and $76,000, depending on what type of material you’re using.
Commercial roofing costs in California are lower per square foot on average than residential, but are still higher than national averages due to labor cost, codes, and energy efficiency requirements. Prices generally go from around $6 per square foot for a ballasted TPO overlay system with no added insulation to around $25 per square foot for a 3-ply modified bitumen system with enough insulation to meet the R-30 energy code requirement (for most of California) for roofs with above-deck insulation.
The tables below provide detailed cost averages for all roof types and systems in California.
Climate Considerations for California Roofs
California is a large state that spans a wide range of climate zones, from cool–marine conditions along much of the coast to hot–dry valleys, alpine mountain regions, and desert areas in the southeast. Coastal areas generally have mild summers and winters, while southern inland locations can see extended periods above 90°F in summer. Mountainous regions experience cold, snowy winters, and some desert areas endure extreme heat. Roofing considerations also vary widely due to natural hazards, including wildfires, high winds, earthquakes, and, in certain areas, heavy rain events. Annual precipitation ranges from more than 60 inches in parts of the northern coast to less than 5 inches in desert regions.
Cooling degree days exceed heating degree days in much of California’s inland and southern areas, while northern and mountainous zones can have substantial heating energy requirements in winter. In hotter regions, reflective “cool” roofing materials can be beneficial for lowering cooling energy costs. In wildfire-prone zones, fire-resistant roofing materials are essential for safety and compliance with state building codes.
Given these conditions, homeowners and building owners in California should consider the following:
- Material selection for heat, fire, and weather: Light-colored, reflective asphalt shingles, cool-rated metal panels, or clay/concrete tile can help reduce attic temperatures in hot climates and meet California Title 24 cool roof requirements in many zones.
- Fire resistance: Class A fire-rated roofing systems are required or strongly recommended, especially in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas subject to California’s strict wildfire building codes.
- Wind performance: In coastal and mountain pass areas subject to strong winds, roofing systems should meet high wind-uplift standards and be installed with enhanced fastening.
- Algae and moss resistance: Algae-resistant shingles or PVDF-coated metal can reduce staining in humid coastal and shaded forest areas, while moss resistance is useful in wetter northern climates.
- Ventilation and underlayment: Proper attic ventilation reduces heat buildup, and high-temperature rated synthetic underlayments improve durability under prolonged heat exposure. Failure to properly ventilate your roof/attic can void your roof warranty.
- Specialty roofs: Tile, slate, and cedar can perform well but must be designed for seismic loads, wind resistance, and wildfire compliance. Installations should include proper fastening and flashing details to meet state codes.
- Insulation: Commercial low-slope roofs must meet the rather complicated California commercial energy code requirement: most of the state has a requirement of R-30 for above-deck continuous insulation, although there are a few areas around Los Angeles with an R-20 requirement.
Things to Keep in Mind
These roof cost estimates should be fairly accurate; I make an effort to regularly update them using current material prices and local labor data. Keep in mind that the costs listed below are averages, and actual costs can vary significantly depending on the actual configuration, accessibility, and condition of your particular roof.
The residential roof cost estimates provided here are for roof replacements for roofs with a 6/12 pitch and include all standard roof components (underlayment, ice & water shield, fasteners, batten systems, flashing, etc.). Steeper roofs or roofs with complex designs can increase costs by up to 30%.
Removal of an existing commercial or residential roof typically adds between $1 to $3 per square foot, and $1.50 for removal has been included in all cost estimates. Labor rates in California tend to be higher than the national average, so removal and installation costs can be at the upper end of these ranges in many areas.
Table 1: Residential Roof Costs in California
| Average Cost of a Residential Pitched Roof in California | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Type | Average Installed Cost Per Square Foot |
Average Installed Cost Per Square (100 sq. ft.) |
Average Installed Cost Typical Residential Roof (1,700 sq. ft.) |
| Asphalt Shingles 3-Tab or Strip Shingles |
$7.75 | $775 | $13,175 |
| Asphalt Shingles Architectural or Dimensional Shingles |
$8.50 | $850 | $14,450 |
| Asphalt Shingles Luxury or Premium Shingles |
$10.55 | $1,055 | $17,935 |
| Cedar Shake & Shingle Red Cedar Shingles |
$19.25 | $1,925 | $32,725 |
| Cedar Shake & Shingle Red Cedar Shingles Class A Fire Rated System |
$21.60 | $2,160 | $36,720 |
| Cedar Shake & Shingle Red Cedar Shakes |
$18.55 | $1,855 | $31,535 |
| Cedar Shake & Shingle Red Cedar Shakes Class A Fire Rated System |
$20.90 | $2,090 | $35,530 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Aluminum, Basic Coating) |
$15.20 | $1,520 | $25,840 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Steel, Basic Coating) |
$11.40 | $1,140 | $19,380 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Steel, PVDF/Kynar Coated) |
$14.20 | $1,420 | $24,140 |
| Metal Roofing Metal Shingles (Aluminum, Basic Coating) |
$19.30 | $1,930 | $32,810 |
| Metal Roofing Metal Shingles (Steel, Basic Coating) |
$14.50 | $1,450 | $24,650 |
| Metal Roofing Metal Shingles (Steel, PVDF/Kynar Coated) |
$18.10 | $1,810 | $30,770 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Aluminum, Basic Coating) |
$23.45 | $2,345 | $39,865 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Steel, Basic Coating) |
$17.60 | $1,760 | $29,920 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Steel, PVDF/Kynar Coated) |
$21.95 | $2,195 | $37,315 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Copper) |
$46.90 | $4,690 | $79,730 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Zinc) |
$31.75 | $3,175 | $53,975 |
| Metal Roofing Flat Seam Metal (Copper, Soldered Seams) |
$55.20 | $5,520 | $93,840 |
| Slate Roofing Hard Natural Slate (Grade S1) “Standard” 1/4″ Thick |
$36.10 | $3,610 | $61,370 |
| Slate Roofing Hard Natural Slate (Grade S1) “Rough Texture” 1/4″ to 3/8″ Thick |
$40.10 | $4,010 | $68,170 |
| Slate Roofing Hard Natural Slate (Grade S1) “Architectural” 3/8″ to 1/2″ Thick |
$46.90 | $4,690 | $79,730 |
| Synthetic Composite Synthetic Composite Shingles (Engineered Polymeric Tile) |
$17.40 | $1,740 | $29,580 |
| Tile Roofing Clay Tile Flat Profile (Shingle Style) |
$21.25 | $2,125 | $36,125 |
| Tile Roofing Clay Tile Mission (2 Piece) |
$22.50 | $2,250 | $38,250 |
| Tile Roofing Clay Tile S-Profile (1 Piece) |
$20.30 | $2,030 | $34,510 |
| Tile Roofing Clay Tile Premium Styles |
$25.55 | $2,555 | $43,435 |
| Tile Roofing Concrete Tile Flat Profile (Shingle Style) |
$16.15 | $1,615 | $27,455 |
| Tile Roofing Concrete Tile S-Profile (1 Piece) |
$15.45 | $1,545 | $26,265 |
| Tile Roofing Concrete Tile Premium Styles |
$19.30 | $1,930 | $32,810 |
| Tile Roofing Lightweight Concrete Flat Tile (Shingle Style) |
$16.85 | $1,685 | $28,645 |
Table 2: Commercial Roof Costs in California
California spans multiple IECC commercial climate zones with two different above‑deck continuous insulation requirements. The minimum is R‑30 ci for most of the state, and R‑20 ci in a few areas. See the documents on this page of the California state website to learn more. When performing a roof recover (installing a new roof over an existing one), these insulation mandates may not apply. Recover projects typically involve installing a cover board over the existing roof system to provide a suitable substrate and then installing the new membrane without further insulation.
Subtract $2.50 from the square foot prices for roofs with above-deck insulation in areas with an R-20 minimum R-value requirement for the insulation decrease from R-30 to R-20.
| Average Cost of a Commercial Low-Slope Roof in California | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Type | Average Installed Cost Per Square Foot |
Average Installed Cost Per Square (100 sq. ft.) |
Average Installed Cost Typical Commercial Roof (25,000 sq. ft.) |
| EPDM Roofing Ballasted EPDM 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $14.75 | $1,475 | $368,750 |
| EPDM Roofing Ballasted EPDM 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $15.40 | $1,540 | $385,000 |
| EPDM Roofing Ballasted EPDM 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $6.70 | $670 | $167,500 |
| EPDM Roofing Ballasted EPDM 90-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $15.95 | $1,595 | $398,750 |
| EPDM Roofing Mechanically-Attached EPDM 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.10 | $1,910 | $477,500 |
| EPDM Roofing Mechanically-Attached EPDM 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.70 | $1,970 | $492,500 |
| EPDM Roofing Mechanically-Attached EPDM 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $7.40 | $740 | $185,000 |
| EPDM Roofing Mechanically-Attached EPDM 75-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.15 | $2,015 | $503,750 |
| EPDM Roofing Fully-Adhered EPDM 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.45 | $1,945 | $486,250 |
| EPDM Roofing Fully-Adhered EPDM 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.05 | $2,005 | $501,250 |
| EPDM Roofing Fully-Adhered EPDM 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $7.75 | $775 | $193,750 |
| EPDM Roofing Fully-Adhered EPDM 90-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.65 | $2,065 | $516,250 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Aluminum, Basic Coating) | $15.20 | $1,520 | $380,000 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Aluminum, PVDF/Kynar Coated) | $18.95 | $1,895 | $473,750 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Steel, Basic Coating) | $11.40 | $1,140 | $285,000 |
| Metal Roofing Exposed Fastener Panels (Steel, PVDF/Kynar Coated) | $14.20 | $1,420 | $355,000 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Aluminum, Basic Coating) | $23.45 | $2,345 | $586,250 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Aluminum, PVDF/Kynar Coated) | $29.30 | $2,930 | $732,500 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Steel, Basic Coating) | $17.60 | $1,760 | $440,000 |
| Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal (Steel, PVDF/Kynar Coated) | $21.95 | $2,195 | $548,750 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing APP-Modified Bitumen 2-Ply System With R-30 Insulation | $23.15 | $2,315 | $578,750 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing APP-Modified Bitumen 2-Ply System No Additional Insulation | $12.60 | $1,260 | $315,000 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing APP-Modified Bitumen 3-Ply System With R-30 Insulation | $26.90 | $2,690 | $672,500 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing SBS-Modified Bitumen 2-Ply System With R-30 Insulation | $23.80 | $2,380 | $595,000 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing SBS-Modified Bitumen 2-Ply System No Additional Insulation | $13.30 | $1,330 | $332,500 |
| Modified Bitumen Roofing SBS-Modified Bitumen 3-Ply System With R-30 Insulation | $27.95 | $2,795 | $698,750 |
| PVC Roofing Mechanically-Attached PVC 50-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.80 | $1,980 | $495,000 |
| PVC Roofing Mechanically-Attached PVC 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.35 | $2,035 | $508,750 |
| PVC Roofing Mechanically-Attached PVC 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $8.05 | $805 | $201,250 |
| PVC Roofing Mechanically-Attached PVC 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.75 | $2,075 | $518,750 |
| PVC Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC 50-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.15 | $2,015 | $503,750 |
| PVC Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.70 | $2,070 | $517,500 |
| PVC Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $8.40 | $840 | $210,000 |
| PVC Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $21.25 | $2,125 | $531,250 |
| PVC KEE Roofing Mechanically-Attached PVC KEE 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $22.05 | $2,205 | $551,250 |
| PVC KEE Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC KEE 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $22.40 | $2,240 | $560,000 |
| PVC KEE Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC KEE 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $10.15 | $1,015 | $253,750 |
| PVC KEE Roofing Fully-Adhered PVC KEE 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $22.95 | $2,295 | $573,750 |
| Spray Polyurethane Foam SPF 5-Inch Thick Silicone Coating Light Prep | $15.85 | $1,585 | $396,250 |
| Spray Polyurethane Foam SPF 5-Inch Thick Silicone Coating Heavy Prep | $18.30 | $1,830 | $457,500 |
| TPO Roofing Ballasted TPO 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $14.40 | $1,440 | $360,000 |
| TPO Roofing Ballasted TPO 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $14.95 | $1,495 | $373,750 |
| TPO Roofing Ballasted TPO 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $6.30 | $630 | $157,500 |
| TPO Roofing Ballasted TPO 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $15.55 | $1,555 | $388,750 |
| TPO Roofing Mechanically-Attached TPO 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $18.75 | $1,875 | $468,750 |
| TPO Roofing Mechanically-Attached TPO 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.30 | $1,930 | $482,500 |
| TPO Roofing Mechanically-Attached TPO 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $7.05 | $705 | $176,250 |
| TPO Roofing Mechanically-Attached TPO 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.80 | $1,980 | $495,000 |
| TPO Roofing Fully-Adhered TPO 45-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.10 | $1,910 | $477,500 |
| TPO Roofing Fully-Adhered TPO 60-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $19.70 | $1,970 | $492,500 |
| TPO Roofing Fully-Adhered TPO 60-mil Membrane No Additional Insulation | $7.40 | $740 | $185,000 |
| TPO Roofing Fully-Adhered TPO 80-mil Membrane With R-30 Insulation | $20.20 | $2,020 | $505,000 |
Further Reading: Roof Cost Details by Roofing Type
- Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost Guide
- Cedar Shake & Shingle Roof Cost Guide
- Copper Roof Cost Guide
- EPDM Rubber Roof Cost Guide
- Metal Roof Cost Guide
- Modified Bitumen Roof Cost Guide
- PVC Membrane Roof Cost Guide
- Shingle Roof Cost Guide
- Single-Ply Roofing Cost Guide (EPDM, PVC, TPO)
- Slate Roof Cost Guide
- Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Cost Guide
- Standing Seam Metal Roofing Cost Guide
- Tile Roof Cost Guide
- TPO Membrane Roof Cost Guide
About the Author
Jack Gray spent 20 years as a principal roof consultant with the Moriarty Corporation, an award-winning building enclosure consultant firm founded in 1967. Mr. Gray has worked in the roofing industry for over 25 years, with training and practical experience in roof installation, roof inspection, roof safety, roof condition assessment, construction estimating, roof design & specification, quality assurance, roof maintenance & repair, and roof asset management. He was awarded the Registered Roof Observer (RRO) professional credential in 2009. He also served as an infantry paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and has a B.A. from Cornell University.