Roof replacement cost in Southern California
Published sources do not agree on one price for a new roof in Southern California, so here is what each one says. HomeBlue's Orange County page gives $4,800 to $30,300 for a roof replacement, depending on roof size and shingle (September 2024). Fixr puts asphalt shingles across California at $5.50 to $11.50 a square foot (August 2025), and HomeBlue says $5 to $8 a square foot for Orange County. The two sources overlap on asphalt but they measure different places and dates.
Researched October 2026. These are published estimates, not quotes. A price for your job comes from a local business.
What the published figures say
| What it covers | Published figure | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement, whole job, depending on roof size and shingle | $4,800 to $30,300 | Orange County, California | HomeBlueSeptember 2024 |
| Asphalt shingles, installed, per square foot | $5 to $8 | Orange County, California | HomeBlueSeptember 2024 |
| Basic 1,500 square foot new roof, average | $9,300 (range $7,200 to $11,400) | Orange County, California | HomeBlueSeptember 2024 |
| Asphalt shingles, per square foot | $5.50 to $11.50 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Concrete tile, per square foot | $8.50 to $20 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Clay tile, per square foot | $10 to $20 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Metal roofing, per square foot | $10 to $24.50 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Shingle roof of 1,700 square feet, whole job (Fixr average is $15,000) | $12,000 to $20,000 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Removing the old roof, average, per square foot | About $1 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
| Permits, typical range (varies by location) | $400 to $1,000 | California | FixrAugust 2025 |
What the sources say
We read two published cost pages and set down what each one says. We did not blend them into one number.
For a whole roof in Orange County, HomeBlue gives $4,800 to $30,300, depending on roof size and shingle. It also says a basic 1,500 square foot roof averages $9,300, with a range of $7,200 to $11,400.
Fixr covers all of California. For a shingle roof of 1,700 square feet it gives $12,000 to $20,000, with an average of $15,000.
Price per square foot by material
Fixr lists these ranges for California, from August 2025. Asphalt shingles run $5.50 to $11.50 a square foot. Concrete tile runs $8.50 to $20. Clay tile runs $10 to $20. Metal runs $10 to $24.50.
On asphalt, HomeBlue's Orange County page says $5 to $8 a square foot. That sits inside the Fixr range, but the range is narrower. Tile and metal cost more than asphalt on both sources' pages.
Why the published figures differ
The two sources cover different places. HomeBlue writes about Orange County. Fixr writes about all of California. A single county can sit in the middle of a statewide range.
They were also written at different times. HomeBlue's page is dated September 2024. Fixr's is dated August 2025. Prices move, so older figures may be out of date.
A whole-job price also depends on how big the roof is and what goes on it. A small shingle roof and a large tile roof will land far apart. This is why one page can show a very wide range. Any quote you get should list the roof size and the material.
Extra costs to ask about
Fixr says removing the old roof averages about $1 a square foot in California. Ask whether tear-off is in your quote or priced apart.
Fixr says permits typically cost $400 to $1,000 but vary by location. Some cities may charge less or nothing for a simple re-roof, so ask your own city. See the next section.
Licence, permits and the rules
In California, the roofing licence is class C-39, called Roofing Contractor. It is issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). You can check a licence on the CSLB site by licence number. The check shows the licence status and any complaint disclosure.
On permits, the City of San Diego says simple re-roofing without structural changes is exempt. Changing the roof structure during a re-roof needs a permit. Permits are also required in historic districts and environmentally sensitive lands. We did not confirm the rules for Orange County or Riverside County cities. Check with your own city before work starts.
California's residential code says a roof recover is not allowed over existing roofing that has two or more layers, or over tile. It also says a replacement means removing old roofing down to the roof deck. Local rules can add to this, so ask your city. Some roof replacements also fall under energy code rules for cool roofs. Ask your city whether they apply to your job.
A note on Local Business America
Local Business America does not check licences, verify businesses or rank them. The links on this page go to the sources we read. Please check the CSLB site yourself before you hire anyone.
Common questions
- How much does a roof replacement cost in Orange County?
- HomeBlue's Orange County page gives $4,800 to $30,300, depending on roof size and shingle (September 2024). It says a basic 1,500 square foot roof averages $9,300.
- How much per square foot is an asphalt shingle roof?
- Fixr says $5.50 to $11.50 across California (August 2025). HomeBlue says $5 to $8 in Orange County (September 2024).
- How much per square foot is a tile roof in California?
- Fixr gives $8.50 to $20 for concrete tile and $10 to $20 for clay tile (August 2025).
- What does a metal roof cost in California?
- Fixr gives $10 to $24.50 per square foot for metal (August 2025).
- Does re-roofing need a permit in San Diego?
- The City of San Diego says simple re-roofing without structural changes is exempt. Changing the roof structure needs a permit, and permits are required in historic districts and environmentally sensitive lands. For other cities, check with the city.
- What licence does a roofer need in California?
- A C-39 Roofing Contractor licence, issued by the Contractors State License Board.
- How do I check a roofer's licence?
- Use the CSLB online licence check. You can search by licence number, and it shows complaint disclosure. Local Business America does not do this check for you.