Architectural asphalt shingles run about $520 to $750 per square installed in California, so a typical 25-square roof is roughly $13,000 to $18,750. Metal is $1,050–$1,600 per square and the average permit is about $450. 2026 planning estimates, not quotes.
2026 California roof replacement runs about $520–$750 per square (100 sq ft) for architectural asphalt shingles, $1050–$1600/sq for standing-seam metal, and $1100–$1700/sq for tile, all installed. Average permit fee is around $450. WUI fire codes require Class A assemblies; permits and labor run highest in the U.S. Use the figures below with our project estimator to price a full tear-off and replacement based on your roof's square footage, pitch, and tear-off layers.
| Material | Per square installed | 20 squares | 25 squares | 30 squares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $520 – $750 | $10,400 – $15,000 | $13,000 – $18,750 | $15,600 – $22,500 |
| Standing-seam metal | $1,050 – $1,600 | $21,000 – $32,000 | $26,250 – $40,000 | $31,500 – $48,000 |
| Concrete or clay tile | $1,100 – $1,700 | $22,000 – $34,000 | $27,500 – $42,500 | $33,000 – $51,000 |
Figures are per square — 100 square feet of finished roof — for installed work including tear-off, and are 2026 planning estimates rather than quoted prices. Squares shown allow for a typical 6/12 pitch and 10% waste. Always get three written quotes before committing.
| Roof size | Squares | Asphalt shingle range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft footprint | 15 | $7,800 – $11,250 |
| 1,500 sq ft footprint | 18 | $9,360 – $13,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft footprint | 25 | $13,000 – $18,750 |
| 2,500 sq ft footprint | 31 | $16,120 – $23,250 |
| 3,000 sq ft footprint | 37 | $19,240 – $27,750 |
Permit fees in California average around $450 and are usually pulled by the contractor and passed through on the invoice. Ask whether the quoted price includes the permit.
A typical 25-square asphalt shingle roof in California works out at roughly $13,000 – $18,750 installed, based on a per-square range of $520 – $750. That covers tear-off, materials and labour on a straightforward roof.
Metal runs $1,050 – $1,600 per square against $520 – $750 for architectural shingles — roughly double. It lasts two to three times as long, so on a house you intend to keep it usually wins on lifetime cost, and it can lower insurance in hail and wildfire areas.
Around $450 on average, though it varies by jurisdiction and is often scaled by project value. The contractor normally pulls it and passes the fee through, so check whether your quote includes it.
WUI fire codes require Class A assemblies; permits and labor run highest in the U.S.