Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Los Angeles, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Los Angeles?

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is charged with regulating the activities of roofing contractors that operate in Los Angeles. Per the requirements of this board, roofing contractors in the city that wish to provide services worth $500 or more, including labor and material costs, must hold an appropriate CSLB-issued license. Failure to comply with this licensing requirement can result in misdemeanor charges, and first-time violators can face statutory and administrative penalties of up to six months in jail, $15,000 in fines, or a combination of both. Note that these penalties are even steeper for repeat offenders.

Roofing contractors that wish to obtain licenses from the CSLB will be required to complete the following steps:

• Complete and submit an Application for Original Contractor License Form via the instructions provided in the form
• Pay a non-refundable application fee
• Provide acceptable and verifiable proof of on-the-job roofing experience. This experience must have been gotten at no lower than journeyman level for at least four years and must have also been attained no more than 10 years before the license application is made.
• Sit for and pass a CSLB-administered licensing examination
• Provide proof of bonding and any additional documentation that the CSLB may require at the time of the application

Note that applicants who submit insufficient or incomplete application forms will have these forms returned to them, and they must provide all missing information or make any necessary corrections within 90 days of receiving these returned forms. Failure to do this makes the application void, and these applicants will be required to submit a new application and pay another application fee before they can obtain their required CSLB-issued licenses.

Also, the CSLB offers a reciprocity program that allows eligible contractors with valid state-issued licenses from Arizona, Nevada, and Louisiana to waive certain portions of its licensing examination. Additional information concerning this program and any other requirements or procedures for obtaining contractor licenses from the CSLB can be directed to the board at (800) 321-2752.

Proof of valid licensing is a crucial criterion to look out for when searching for professional roofers in Los Angeles, as it provides you a measure of confidence that the roofing contractor you hire is qualified to provide your required services. To this end, the CSLB provides and maintains an online license verification platform that you can use to confirm that your intended roofing contractor holds a valid CSLB-issued license. You can equally confirm your roofing contractor's licensing status by contacting the board at (800) 321-2752.

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

Certain key factors influence the cost of roofing projects in Los Angeles, and these include:

• The size of the roof being repaired or replaced
• The types of roofing materials to be used for the job
• The labor intensity of the job
• The roof slope, pitch, and other features that affect access to the roof

Determining exactly how much your roofing project will cost you is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings with your roofer. However, it is always a good idea to get and compare bids for the job from at least three different roofing contractors before making your final hiring decision. Note that you should never automatically hire the contractor with the lowest bid, especially if this bid is markedly lower than the others. Always request an explanation for significant price variances in any bids that you receive, and be wary of contractors who cannot satisfactorily explain these variances.

Roofers in Los Angeles earn an average wage of $60,560 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Building Code?

Permits are typically required for all construction and home improvement-related projects in Los Angeles, including roof repairs and replacements. However, permit exemptions may be made for minor roof repairs and patching. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) oversees the city's roofing permit issuance process, and interested parties that wish to obtain permits from this department may do so via the following steps:

• Confirm that the building with the required roofing work falls within the city's jurisdiction. This can be done by utilizing the ZIMAS online tool that the city provides for this purpose
• Prepare all necessary plans and drawings for the roofing project
• Submit these plans and a properly completed Application for Building Permit or Grading and Certificate of Occupancy Form to the LADBS via its ePlanLA platform. Submissions can also be made in person at any of the following LADBS office locations:

Note that the LADBS may issue express permits for certain roofing projects. These typically include projects that do not require project plans and drawings, such as re-roofing with Class A or B roofing materials that weigh less than six pounds per square foot over existing or new solid sheathing. Express permits can be generated via a separate online permitting platform that the LADBS provides and maintains for this purpose.

Once permit applications, along with all necessary plans, have been submitted, they are reviewed by the LADBS, after which permit applicants will be required to pay a stipulated permit fee. Note that other city departments and agencies may be involved in the permit review process before the submitted permit applications are approved. Once the permit applications have been approved and all stipulated fees have been paid, the requested permits are issued, and the roofing project can commence. It is important to note that the LADBS also typically conducts inspections of completed roofing projects to ensure that the work done complies with all relevant provisions of the Los Angeles Building Code.

You can get additional information on the LADBS's permitting and inspection process by calling 311 for callers within Los Angeles and (213) 473-3231 for callers outside the city. Permitting and inspection-related inquiries can also be directed to the department at any of its office locations mentioned above between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Note that the LADBS's South LA and San Pedro offices are typically closed to visitors between 12 noon and 1:00 p.m.

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

When searching for roofing contractors in Los Angeles, it is important to ensure that the roofer you hire is experienced and well-equipped to work on your specific type of roofing system and offer the necessary roofing services you require. Professional roofing contractors in the city typically offer several types of roofing services, which include:

• Roofing inspections
• Roof repairs
• Roof replacements and installations
• Leak repairs and waterproofing
• Damaged shingle restorations
• Gutter cleaning and repairs

Similarly, many professionals are also trained and equipped to work on several common Los Angeles roofing types and materials. These include built-up roofs, asphalt shingle roofs, fiberglass shingle roofs, tile roofs, metal roofs, modified bitumen roofs, and spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofs. However, even though many professional roofing contractors offer a wide array of roofing services over different types of roofing materials, some roofers may specialize in specific types of roofing materials and focus their services on these niches.

As such, you should always confirm that your intended roofers provide the specific type of roofing service that you require and are also experienced in handling your preferred roofing material before you complete any hiring arrangements with them. You should also confirm that they are familiar with the requirements of the city's roofing ordinances. Finally, make sure that you agree on the cost of the roofers' services before they begin any work on your building. Doing this goes a long way in ensuring that you receive satisfactory service delivery at the end of the day.

The list below provides cost estimates for commonly requested roofing services in Los Angeles. Note that the actual cost of these services will be affected by factors like your specific location within the city, the complexity of the work to be done, and the reputation of the roofing contractor that you hire:

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 Los Angeles?

More than 26 percent of the work-related deaths that occurred in California in 2020 were recorded among construction, installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including roofers. Roofing is a highly hazardous occupation, and roofers are susceptible to several types of on-the-job injuries, such as cuts, abrasions, lacerations from sharp tools, and trips and falls from heights. As such, you must always confirm that any roofer you hire in Los Angeles is properly insured. Otherwise, you may be liable for any injuries they sustain while working in your home.

Note that roofers that operate in Los Angeles are not statutorily required to carry general liability insurance. However, per the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) requirements, they must inform you on whether or not they carry this insurance. The CSLB also requires that these professionals maintain surety bonds of at least $15,000 and carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if any.

You can confirm your roofer's insurance and bonding status by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and contacting the appropriate issuing organization to validate these documents. Also, confirm that the roofer's liability insurance coverage limits will be adequate for the scope of your roofing project.

You can also contact the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 for additional information or inquire about its insurance and bonding requirements for roofers operating in Los Angeles.