Short answer: As of September 2026, the five highest-scoring roofing contractors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro on The Roofing Brief Contractor Score are NC Roofing Solution, Inc. (90.0), Epic Roof Replacement (77.9), Saber Roofing, Inc. (76.1), Mr. Roofing, Inc. (74.3), Moctezuma Roofing, Inc. (74.1). Each holds a certification we verified on the manufacturer’s own register, every rating was corroborated elsewhere, and placement on this page is not for sale.
The Roofing Brief scored 12 certified roofing contractors serving the San Francisco metro on a published, reproducible formula, then researched each of the top five individually to confirm its record. San Francisco recorded no damaging hail at all in the past decade, the only metro in this batch with a clean zero. Bay Area roofs fail from sustained winter rain, wind-driven water at flashing details, and ultraviolet degradation on the flat and low-slope decks that dominate the older housing stock. California requires a Contractors State License Board licence under the C-39 classification for any roofing job over $500, backed by a trade exam, a law and business exam, and four years of documented journey-level experience, so the CSLB record is the first thing to check here.
Quick picks for San Francisco:
- NC Roofing Solution, Inc.: best overall (TRB Score 90.0). Verified services: roof repair, commercial roofing.
- Epic Roof Replacement: best for two-manufacturer warranties (TRB Score 77.9). Verified services: roof replacement, roof repair.
- Saber Roofing, Inc.: best for employed Peninsula crews (TRB Score 76.1).
- Mr. Roofing, Inc.: best for San Francisco proper (TRB Score 74.3).
- Moctezuma Roofing, Inc.: best for East Bay homeowners (TRB Score 74.1). Verified services: commercial roofing.
Why a San Francisco roof fails slowly rather than suddenly
San Francisco has effectively no severe-weather risk to a roof and a great deal of water. The ten-year record contains 61 hail reports, none reaching an inch, no tornadoes, and 28 severe wind reports, the strongest a 97 mph gust measured at Pacifica on 14 December 2024. What ages a roof here is wind-driven winter rain, salt air and fog, arriving mostly between December and March. That pattern rewards spending on underlayment, flashing details and drainage rather than on impact-rated coverings, and it makes autumn the sensible season to book work.
The city’s flat roofs are the main event. San Francisco sits in Climate Zone 3, which falls outside the prescriptive cool roof requirements for re-roofing: those apply to steep-slope single-family roofs in Zones 4 and 8 to 15, and to low-slope ones in Zones 4 and 6 to 15. So the reflectance rules that drive product choice in Sacramento or Riverside do not bind here, on either roof type. If your building is a mix of the two, which is common here, ask the contractor to state which rule applies to which section before the permit application goes in.
One rule causes recurring confusion. San Francisco’s Better Roofs Ordinance, in force since 2017, requires solar or a living roof on 15 to 30 per cent of the roof area of most new buildings of ten storeys or fewer. It applies to new construction, not to replacing the roof on an existing home. A contractor who tells you a re-roof triggers a solar mandate is mistaken. Re-roofing permits themselves are routine: the Department of Building Inspection issues many of them over the counter, and torch-applied work may also need a fire department operational permit.
California licenses roofing properly as Class C-39, requiring four years of journey-level experience and two examinations, and the CSLB record shows bond, insurance and disciplinary history for every number. In a market this expensive, the other protection worth knowing is financial: on a home improvement contract the down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 per cent of the price, whichever is less, and progress payments must track work actually completed. A contractor asking for half up front is telling you something useful about how they run their business.
The 5 best roofers in San Francisco, CA
Scored 2026-09-12. The metro mean rating used as the Bayesian prior for San Francisco is 4.833, across a pool of 12 certified contractors.
| Rank | Company | TRB Score | Certification | Rating (reviews) | Adjusted | In business since | Based in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NC Roofing Solution, Inc. | 90.0 | President’s Club | 4.9 (250) | 4.889 | 2010 | Walnut Creek, CA |
| 2 | Epic Roof Replacement | 77.9 | Master Elite | 5.0 (54) | 4.92 | not published | San Leandro, CA |
| 3 | Saber Roofing, Inc. | 76.1 | Master Elite | 5.0 (67) | 4.929 | 1980 | Woodside, CA |
| 4 | Mr. Roofing, Inc. | 74.3 | Master Elite | 4.7 (118) | 4.74 | not published | South San Francisco, CA |
| 5 | Moctezuma Roofing, Inc. | 74.1 | Master Elite | 4.9 (32) | 4.859 | not published | San Leandro, CA |
1. NC Roofing Solution, Inc.: best overall (TRB Score 90.0)
NC Roofing Solution, Inc. is based in Walnut Creek, CA, in business since 2010, BBB profile on record, and holds President’s Club standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 35 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 35.6 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 15.0 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 4.4 | 10 |
| Total | 90.0 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- Licence 1111166 covering General Building and Roofing, verified active, serving the Bay Area since 2010. CSLB
- BuildZoom score 111, in the top 4% of 336,931 licensed California contractors, with at least 310 permitted projects in the past three years. BuildZoom
- BBB business profile with customer reviews on record. BBB
What they actually do. Residential and commercial roofing and repair across the East Bay and wider Bay Area.
Services we could verify: roof repair, commercial roofing.
Why it ranks here. 310 permitted projects in three years is the highest verified permit volume in the San Francisco pool, drawn from public building records rather than self-reported figures.
Best fit for: East Bay homeowners from Walnut Creek through Concord and Danville.
What we would want clarified. BBB reviews are mixed. One complaint describes an unauthorised $1,400 permit charge not stated in the original contract. Insist that permit fees are itemised in the written contract before signing. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (925) 477-2993, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
2. Epic Roof Replacement: best for two-manufacturer warranties (TRB Score 77.9)
Epic Roof Replacement is based in San Leandro, CA, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
Certifications held: Master Elite (GAF), Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Certification by more than one manufacturer is uncommon and requires meeting each programme’s separate standards for insurance, training and track record.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 36.8 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 10.9 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 6.2 | 10 |
| Total | 77.9 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- Listed as an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor on the manufacturer’s own directory. Owens Corning
- Licensed by the State of California, specialising in roof replacement, roof repair and new roof installation. Company
What they actually do. Roof replacement, repair and new roof installation across the East Bay.
Services we could verify: roof replacement, roof repair.
Why it ranks here. Dual-certified by GAF and Owens Corning, and one of the few contractors in this batch verifiable directly on a second manufacturer’s own public directory rather than only through its own marketing.
Best fit for: East Bay homeowners wanting warranty options from two manufacturers.
What we would want clarified. No BBB rating or accreditation was locatable, and the specific CSLB licence number was not published on the sources we could reach. Ask for the licence number and verify it at cslb.ca.gov before signing. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (888) 714-3742, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
3. Saber Roofing, Inc.: best for employed Peninsula crews (TRB Score 76.1)
Saber Roofing, Inc. is based in Woodside, CA, in business since 1980, led by Jay Saber and Ryan Saber, BBB profile on record, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 37.2 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 11.5 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 3.5 | 10 |
| Total | 76.1 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- Licence 442184, valid to 31 October 2027, on the BBB record. CSLB
- Second-generation family owned since 1980, now a fleet of eight vehicles and 15 full-time employees, with co-owner Jay Saber starting in 1982 and son Ryan Saber serving as President. Company
- Permit records show 1,679 permitted projects. BuildZoom
What they actually do. Residential roof systems across the Peninsula, from Woodside through Palo Alto and Redwood City.
Why it ranks here. 1,679 permitted projects is by a wide margin the largest verified permit history in the San Francisco pool, and 46 years of second-generation family ownership with 15 full-time employees rather than subcontracted crews is a meaningful distinction in this trade.
Best fit for: Peninsula homeowners, and anyone who wants employed crews rather than subcontractors.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (650) 368-9220, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
4. Mr. Roofing, Inc.: best for San Francisco proper (TRB Score 74.3)
Mr. Roofing, Inc. is based in South San Francisco, CA, BBB accredited since 1 July 1991, A+ rating, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 29.6 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 13.0 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 7.8 | 10 |
| Total | 74.3 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- A+ rated and accredited since 1 July 1991, a 35-year unbroken record, with CSLB licence 566386 on the BBB record expiring 29 February 2028. BBB
- 116 reviews on Yelp. Yelp
- Contractor and permit record on BuildZoom. BuildZoom
What they actually do. Roofing and solar across San Francisco and the Peninsula.
Why it ranks here. Thirty-five years of unbroken A+ accreditation, the longest formal record in the San Francisco pool, with a CSLB licence number and expiry both verifiable on the BBB record.
Best fit for: San Francisco and northern Peninsula homeowners.
What we would want clarified. Nine miles from the city centre, in South San Francisco. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (650) 872-3232, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
5. Moctezuma Roofing, Inc.: best for East Bay homeowners (TRB Score 74.1)
Moctezuma Roofing, Inc. is based in San Leandro, CA, led by Emmanuel Moctezuma, BBB profile on record, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 34.4 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 9.5 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 6.2 | 10 |
| Total | 74.1 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- BBB business profile listing Emmanuel Moctezuma as owner, with CSLB licence 970741 on the record. BBB
What they actually do. Residential and commercial roofing across the East Bay and Peninsula.
Services we could verify: commercial roofing.
Why it ranks here. A CSLB licence number traceable to a named owner on the public record, with a 4.9 rating and Master Elite certification.
Best fit for: East Bay homeowners.
What we would want clarified. Thirty-two registry reviews is the thinnest base in this top five, and no BBB letter rating was displayed on the profile we retrieved. Fifteen miles from the city centre, across the bay. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (510) 414-9004, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
Roof replacement and repair in San Francisco, CA
Short answer: For a San Francisco roof, NC Roofing Solution is the strongest overall pick, Epic Roof Replacement suits buyers wanting GAF and Owens Corning warranty options, Saber Roofing suits Peninsula homes with employed crews, Mr. Roofing suits the city and northern Peninsula, and Moctezuma Roofing suits East Bay homes. The rule that matters most: a stand-alone reroof needs a CSLB C-39 roofing licence or a C-39 subcontractor, so check the number at cslb.ca.gov first.
San Francisco roofs are rarely beaten by hail or tornadoes. The ten-year record holds 61 hail reports, the largest 0.5 inch and none reaching an inch, no tornadoes, and 28 severe wind reports, 11 of them at 58 knots or more; the strongest was a 97 mph gust at Pacifica on 14 December 2024. What wears roofs out here is sustained wind-driven winter rain, salt air and fog, mostly between December and March, with water getting in at flashing details and ultraviolet degradation breaking down the flat and low-slope decks common in older housing. That pattern rewards spending on underlayment, flashing and drainage rather than impact-rated coverings, and makes autumn the sensible season to book work.
California has no 25 percent rule. Under the 2025 California Residential Code, if more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within one year outside fire hazard severity zones, the whole covering must be at least Class C fire rated; inside Fire Hazard Severity Zones or Wildland-Urban Interface areas, the 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code requires Class A. A replacement roof must be torn off to the deck under CRC R908.3. San Francisco sits in Climate Zone 3, outside the prescriptive cool roof rules for re-roofing on steep or low-slope roofs. The Department of Building Inspection issues many re-roofing permits over the counter, and torch-applied work may also need a fire department operational permit.
San Francisco’s Better Roofs Ordinance, in force since 2017, requires solar or a living roof on 15 to 30 per cent of the roof area of most new buildings of ten storeys or fewer, but it applies to new construction, not to re-roofing an existing home. On a home improvement contract the down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 per cent of the price, whichever is less, and progress payments must track work completed. Where an insurer pays under a replacement cost policy and replaced items do not match in quality, colour or size, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 10, section 2695.9(a)(2) requires replacement of all items in the damaged area to a reasonably uniform appearance.
Every California contractor needs a CSLB licence once labour and materials reach $1,000, and C-39 roofers must carry a $25,000 bond and workers’ compensation even with no employees. Epic Roof Replacement lists roof replacement, repair and new roof installation and is also an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. NC Roofing Solution covers residential and commercial roofing and repair, with 310 permitted projects in three years. Saber Roofing has 1,679 permitted projects and 15 full-time employees rather than subcontracted crews. Mr. Roofing, in South San Francisco, has held BBB A+ accreditation since 1 July 1991. Moctezuma Roofing handles residential and commercial roofing across the East Bay and Peninsula.
| Rule | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Licence required | A CSLB licence is needed where labour and materials reach $1,000 or more; a stand-alone reroof needs a C-39 licence or a licensed roofing subcontractor, and the minor work exemption never covers a reroof. | Business and Professions Code 7048 and 7057; Assembly Bill 2622 |
| Bond and workers’ compensation | Every active licence carries a $25,000 contractor’s bond, and C-39 licensees must carry workers’ compensation whether or not they have employees. | Contractors State License Board |
| 25 percent rule | California has no 25 percent rule; replacing more than 50 percent of roof area within one year requires the entire covering to be at least Class C outside fire hazard severity zones, and Class A inside Fire Hazard Severity Zones or Wildland-Urban Interface areas. | 2025 California Residential Code; 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Section 507.1 |
| Tear-off | Any replacement roof must be torn off to the deck. | California Residential Code R908.3 |
| Re-roofing permit | Re-roofing permits are routine and many are issued over the counter; torch-applied work may also need a fire department operational permit. | San Francisco Department of Building Inspection |
| Down payment cap | On a home improvement contract the down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 per cent of the price, whichever is less, and progress payments must track work completed. | California home improvement contract rules |
Related guides: roof replacement cost in California; the 25% roofing rule in California and every other state; how to decide between roof repair and replacement; how to read and compare a roof replacement quote; how to compare roof repair quotes; what homeowners insurance covers on a roof.
28 severe weather reports in a decade, and why that matters in San Francisco
Aggregate hail counts tell you very little about a specific roof. These are the individual events: every severe-weather report logged by the National Weather Service across the 5 counties of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area over ten years, with the dates, the stone sizes and the towns they landed on. Over that decade the metro logged 61 hail reports, 28 severe thunderstorm and high wind reports and 0 tornadoes. Reported property damage from hail, severe wind and tornado over that decade totalled $5.0 million; flood and winter-storm losses are counted separately and are not included.
The biggest hail to fall on San Francisco in a decade
| Date | Stone size | Reported near | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 March 2018 | 0.5 in | Concord | Contra Costa |
| 29 November 2018 | 0.5 in | San Francisco | San Francisco |
| 2 March 2018 | 0.25 in | Oakland | Alameda |
| 2 March 2018 | 0.25 in | Bolinas | Marin |
| 2 March 2018 | 0.25 in | Berkeley | Alameda |
| 2 March 2018 | 0.25 in | Berkeley | Alameda |
The largest stone on record for this metro fell on 3 March 2018 near Concord, measured at 0.5 inches. That is below the size at which hail normally damages a shingle roof.
Wind. The strongest thunderstorm gust logged in the metro was 84 knots, about 97 mph, near Sharp Park on 14 December 2024. Asphalt shingles begin lifting at roughly 67 mph when they are correctly nailed, and considerably below that when they are not.
What the National Weather Service wrote about it
The NWS logs a written account of each severe-weather episode. This is its description of the 13 October 2025 event near Butano Park, reproduced verbatim:
A strong thunderstorm cell touched down just south of Ano Nuevo State Park at 4:23 PM. Video from a farm near the location showed damage to structures, sparking speculation of a possible tornado. Subsequently, an NWS team conducted a storm survey at the site. The team identified damage consistent with straight line winds. Damage was noted from the coast, just south of A��o Nuevo State Park, eastward about 3/4 of a mile. This damage included, but not limited to, a hoop house visqueen cover being torn off, structural damage to two hoop houses, a large water storage tank being transported over a 1/4 mile, and moderately large diameter coastal cypress trees being snapped. There was one item…
That is what the specification has to anticipate here, written up by the agency that recorded it rather than by a contractor selling the repair.
When it happens. Severe weather reports cluster in March (27), January (19), April (12). The worst years on record were 2018 (32), 2017 (12), 2020 (12). If you are scheduling non-urgent work in San Francisco, the months outside that window are when crews are least stretched and least likely to be triaging emergency callouts ahead of your job.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, county-level detail files 2016 to 2025, filtered to the counties of this statistical area by The Roofing Brief. Damage figures are as reported to the NWS and undercount insured losses.
What to do with this. Hail is not the governing risk in San Francisco. Weight your decision toward wind rating, ventilation and flashing detail rather than paying extra for impact-rated shingles.
How to check a San Francisco roofer in ten minutes
Licensing is required in CA. California requires a Contractors State License Board licence for any job where labour and materials combined reach $1,000 or more, a threshold raised from $500 by Assembly Bill 2622 on 1 January 2025. The exemption never covers a reroof: under Business and Professions Code 7048 it applies only to minor work under $1,000 that needs no building permit, and is lost if the person employs anyone or advertises as a contractor. Roofing is the C-39 classification. A B General Building contractor may include roofing in a multi-trade project, but a stand-alone reroof needs a C-39 licence or a licensed roofing subcontractor (B&P 7057).
A C-39 qualifier must document at least four years of journey-level experience and normally passes both a trade examination and a law and business examination unless a statutory waiver applies. Every active licence carries a $25,000 contractor’s bond, and C-39 roofing licensees must carry workers’ compensation whether or not they have employees: roofing is one of the few classifications that cannot file the no-employee exemption.
Check here: CSLB Check a License. The CSLB record also shows complaint and disciplinary history, including citations and accusations. Treat any status other than Active as disqualifying.
For what a full replacement costs across California, including state labor rates and permit rules, see our California roof replacement cost guide.
Four checks to run before you sign anything, in any state.
- Verify certification at the source. Use the GAF verification tool rather than trusting a badge image on a company website.
- Get the certificate of insurance from the insurer, not the contractor, and confirm general liability and workers compensation are both active on the day work starts.
- Confirm who pulls the permit. If a contractor asks you to pull it as the homeowner, that moves liability onto you. Decline.
- Get warranty terms in writing before any deposit, and check the manufacturer warranty being promised actually requires the certification tier the contractor holds.
The shape of the San Francisco contractor market
12 certified roofing contractors serve the principal cities of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area, of which 1 hold the top President’s Club tier. The pool carries 896 customer reviews between them at a mean rating of 4.833. The statistical area had a 2024 population of 4,648,486, a change of -2.21% against the 2020 census base, per the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates.
How these San Francisco rankings were produced
Every contractor in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA pool was scored out of 100 on four published components: certification tier, a Bayesian adjusted rating, review depth and distance from the metro centre. In this metro that meant scoring 12 certified contractors, of whom 1 hold President’s Club standing and 11 Master Elite, against a metro mean rating of 4.833. The top five were then researched individually against Better Business Bureau records, state licence registers and manufacturer directories. The findings are printed above whether they flatter the contractor or not, and nobody paid to appear.
The full method, the weightings, what the GAF certification tiers actually mean, who is eligible to be ranked and what we do not claim are all set out on our roofer ranking methodology page. Last updated: September 2026. Scoring run: 2026-09-12. Corrections go to the editor and are actioned on verification.
What San Francisco homeowners want to know
Who is the best roofer in San Francisco, CA?
NC Roofing Solution, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA scores highest in the San Francisco metro on The Roofing Brief Contractor Score, at 90.0 out of 100 as of September 2026. It holds President’s Club certification with a 4.9 rating across 250 reviews. Highest-scoring is not the same as best fit for your specific job, and the four companies behind it score within 15.9 points.
What is the 25% rule for roofing in California?
California has no 25 percent rule; its statewide trigger is 50 percent. If more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period outside fire hazard severity zones, the entire roof covering must be at least Class C fire rated, and inside Fire Hazard Severity Zones or Wildland-Urban Interface areas the roof must meet new-construction Class A standards. Many cities adopt stricter local amendments, so check with your building department.
Who does roof repair in San Francisco?
Among ranked firms, NC Roofing Solution covers residential and commercial roofing and repair across the Bay Area, and Epic Roof Replacement lists roof repair alongside replacement and new installation. Mr. Roofing, based in South San Francisco, serves San Francisco and the Peninsula.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in San Francisco?
Yes, re-roofing needs a permit, and the Department of Building Inspection issues many of them over the counter. Torch-applied work may also need a fire department operational permit.
Does replacing my roof in San Francisco trigger the solar requirement?
No. The Better Roofs Ordinance, in force since 2017, requires solar or a living roof on 15 to 30 per cent of the roof area of most new buildings of ten storeys or fewer. It applies to new construction, not to replacing the roof on an existing home.
How many certified roofing contractors serve San Francisco?
12 contractors on the GAF certification registry serve the principal cities of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area as of September 2026, of which 1 hold President’s Club status.
How much damaging hail does San Francisco get?
The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area recorded 0 hail reports of 1 inch or larger and 0 of 2 inches or larger between 2016 and 2025 in the NOAA Storm Events Database. The largest hailstone reported measured 0.5 inches.
Did any contractor pay to appear on this list?
No. The Roofing Brief takes no placement fees, no lead fees and no affiliate commission from any roofing contractor. Ranking comes entirely from the published formula applied to public registry data, followed by an individual research pass on the top five.
What was the worst hailstorm in San Francisco in the last ten years?
The largest hailstone logged by the National Weather Service in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area between 2016 and 2025 measured 0.5 inches, reported near Concord on 3 March 2018. That is below the size at which hail normally damages a shingle roof. Across the decade the metro recorded 61 hail reports. Reported property damage from hail, severe wind and tornado over that decade totalled $5.0 million; flood and winter-storm losses are counted separately and are not included.
When is the worst time of year for roof damage in San Francisco?
Severe-weather reports in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area cluster in March, January, April, on the NOAA record for 2016 to 2025. If the work can wait, booking outside that window usually buys you shorter lead times and more of the contractor’s attention.
Do roofers need a licence in CA?
California requires a Contractors State License Board licence for any job where labour and materials combined reach $1,000 or more, a threshold raised from $500 by Assembly Bill 2622 on 1 January 2025. The exemption never covers a reroof: under Business and Professions Code 7048 it applies only to minor work under $1,000 that needs no building permit, and is lost if the person employs anyone or advertises as a contractor. Roofing is the C-39 classification. A B General Building contractor may include roofing in a multi-trade project, but a stand-alone reroof needs a C-39 licence or a licensed roofing subcontractor (B&P 7057). A C-39 qualifier must document at least four years of journey-level experience and normally passes both a trade examination and a law and business examination unless a statutory waiver applies. Every active licence carries a $25,000 contractor’s bond, and C-39 roofing licensees must carry workers’ compensation whether or not they have employees: roofing is one of the few classifications that cannot file the no-employee exemption.
What should I check before hiring a roofer in San Francisco?
The CSLB record also shows complaint and disciplinary history, including citations and accusations. Treat any status other than Active as disqualifying.
Is San Francisco a hard market to find a good roofer in?
San Francisco recorded no damaging hail at all in the past decade, the only metro in this batch with a clean zero. Bay Area roofs fail from sustained winter rain, wind-driven water at flashing details, and ultraviolet degradation on the flat and low-slope decks that dominate the older housing stock. California requires a Contractors State License Board licence under the C-39 classification for any roofing job over $500, backed by a trade exam, a law and business exam, and four years of documented journey-level experience, so the CSLB record is the first thing to check here.
Is wind or hail the bigger risk to a roof in San Francisco?
Wind, by a wide margin. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA statistical area logged 28 severe thunderstorm and high wind reports against 0 hail reports of an inch or more between 2016 and 2025. Wind damage shows up at the rake, ridge and edge rather than across the field of the roof, so the fastening schedule and edge detail matter more here than the impact rating of the shingle.
Roofer rankings for other metros
The Roofing Brief scores certified roofing contractors in U.S. metropolitan and micropolitan areas on the same formula.
- Best roofers in Vallejo, CA, about 24 miles from San Francisco
- Best roofers in Napa, CA, about 36 miles from San Francisco
- Best roofers in San Jose, CA, about 47 miles from San Francisco
- Best roofers in Santa Rosa, CA, about 49 miles from San Francisco
- Best roofers in Santa Cruz, CA, another CA metro on the same formula
- Best roofers in Stockton, CA, another CA metro on the same formula
- Best roofers in Riverside, CA, a metro of comparable size
- Best roofers in Detroit, MI, a metro of comparable size
- Best roofers in Kahului, HI, also scored, about 2341 miles away
- Best roofers in Honolulu, HI, also scored, about 2394 miles away
See the full index of metro roofer rankings, or read how to find and vet a roofing contractor anywhere in the country.
Cite this analysis
The Roofing Brief. “Best Roofers in San Francisco, CA: The Roofing Brief Contractor Score.” Published September 2026. Inputs: GAF certification registry; NOAA Storm Events Database 2016-2025; U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates; Better Business Bureau and independent review-platform records for each ranked contractor.