4:12Guides
Roof Replacement Guides
Start with the question you're stuck on. Each guide is written for homes in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and nearby, and links its sources.
Roofing materials compared
Shingle, tile, metal and synthetic: cost, lifespan, weight, fire rating.
Read the guide →Roof replacement cost
Cost per square, house-size math and the $30K / $50K question.
Read the guide →Permits & rules
Permit, cool-roof and Class A rules, city by city.
Read the guide →Fire-resistant roofing
Class A roofs, 2025 fire maps and insurance discounts.
Read the guide →Repair or replace
The checklist, and the truth about the 25% rule.
Read the guide →Choosing a roofer
License checks, bid line items and red flags.
Read the guide →
5:12Replacement day
The seven steps of a re-roof
- 01
Tear-off
Old shingles and underlayment come off down to the deck. On a tile re-lay, sound tiles are lifted and stacked for reuse.
- 02
Deck inspection
Soft, rotted or delaminated sheathing is cut out and replaced. Bids usually price this per sheet.
- 03
Underlayment
New underlayment goes down, with extra protection at valleys. On slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, Contra Costa County calls for two layers.
- 04
Flashing
New flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights and vent pipes; drip edge at eaves and rakes. Most leaks start here, not in the field of the roof.
- 05
Install
Shingles, tile or metal go on per the manufacturer's instructions, with ridge and intake ventilation balanced for the attic.
- 06
Cleanup
Debris is hauled off and the driveway, beds and lawn get magnetic sweeps for nails.
- 07
Final inspection
The building inspector signs off. The County, for example, requires an in-progress and a final inspection, both with ladder access.
12:12Quote
Ready to price your new roof?
Tell us about the roof. A local roofing contractor who serves your city can call to schedule an inspection and written bid.
- Composition, tile, flat and metal roofs
- Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and nearby
- Prefer to talk? (925) 281-5910