Roofing Contractor Checklist for Los Angeles Homes
Choosing a Roofing Contractor in Los Angeles County
In the City of Los Angeles, 13,428 permits were issued for re-roofs in the last 12 months. Compare builders on license status, permits, references and a written contract.
Los Angeles County at a glance
- Share of Los Angeles County housing units built before 1980, 2020–2024 estimates
- 70.3%
- Median year structure built, all Los Angeles County housing units, 2020–2024 estimates
- 1965
- Share of occupied Los Angeles County housing units that are owner-occupied, 2020–2024 estimates
- 45.9%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · data as of
- Numbers from US Census and LADBS public records
- Up to three local contractors, never a long list
- Free, no obligation
What do permits say a re-roof costs?
From City of LA building permits, last 12 months. Not a contract price. How we calculate this
Declared values on City of Los Angeles building permits, last 12 months. The dataset covers the City of Los Angeles only, so treat it as a regional reference for Los Angeles County. A declared value is what the permit states, not your contract price. How we calculate this.
Source: LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org), permits on one- and two-family homes issued to ; fire rebuilds excluded. ZIP medians need 20+ permits.
How to compare roofing contractors
How to compare roofing contractors
Check license status with the CSLB
Look up the contractor's license status on the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) website. Confirm the license type fits roofing work and the name matches the company.
Ask about plans and permits
Ask who prepares the plans and who pulls the permit with your city. A clear answer now prevents delays later.
Check references and recent similar work
Ask for references and recent jobs that are similar to yours. Ask to see the work in person if you can.
Get a written contract
Get a written contract that covers scope, materials, timeline, cleanup and how changes are priced and approved.
Agree a payment schedule tied to progress
Agree a payment schedule tied to completed work. Do not pay far ahead of the work.
Keep records of changes
Keep records of every change order, payment and inspection. Store them with your home papers.
Ask about older-home issues
Ask how the builder checks the roof's age and how many layers are already on it. Ask about decking that may need repair after tear-off, older ventilation and flashing, and possible asbestos in very old roofing materials. Ask whether the structure suits a heavier material such as tile.
Plan around tenants if you rent out the home
If you own a rental, plan the work around tenants and give them the dates in writing. Ask the builder how they handle access and daily schedules.
Local context: housing and roof permits
Local context: housing and roof permits
Local numbers for Los Angeles County, each with its source and date.
- Issued re-roof permits in the City of Los Angeles, all property types, last 12 months1
- 13,428 permits
Common questions
How do I check a roofing contractor's license?
Look up the contractor's license status on the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) website before you sign anything. Check that the license type matches roofing work and that the name on the license matches the company you are hiring.
What should a roofing contract include?
Ask for a written contract that lists the scope of work, materials, start and finish timing, who handles permits, how changes are priced and approved, and how the job is cleaned up.
How should roofing payments work?
Pay in steps tied to completed work, not all at once. Avoid paying far ahead of the work. Keep receipts and written records of every payment and change order.
Who pulls the roofing permit?
Ask the builder who pulls the permit and who inspects the work. In the City of Los Angeles, 13,428 permits were issued for re-roofs in the last 12 months, so permits are a normal part of this work. Confirm the plan with your city before the crew starts.
What should I check on an older home before a roof replacement?
Most homes in Los Angeles County are older: the median year built is 1965 and 70.3% of housing units were built before 1980. Ask how the builder checks the roof's age, how many layers are already on it, the decking, old ventilation and flashing, possible asbestos in very old materials, and whether the structure suits a heavier material such as tile. These are things to check, not certainties for every house.
Recent work by a contractor in our network
Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.
Whole-home remodel, exterior 
New home, exterior
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Your project · works in Los Angeles County
Matched to your project. We check the project type and ZIP first. Up to three local contractors may contact you, and we email you each one's name.
Service areas
- Los Angeles
- Bel Air
- Brentwood
- Hollywood
- +36 more
Service areas as listed by the contractor ()