Homeowner guide · San Diego
How to Choose a Good Roofer
Your roof protects everything under it. You deserve a roofer you can check, not one you have to trust blindly. Here's exactly what to look for — and you can hold us to every point.
7 things every good roofer does
1. A license you can look up in 30 seconds
Any real California roofer gives you a CSLB license number without hesitation. Type it into the CSLB website and confirm the name, the roofing classification and that it's active. If a roofer gets vague here, nothing else they say matters.
California First Roofing: Ours is CSLB #1094851. Look it up — we'd like you to.
2. Photos of your roof before any price
You can't see your roof. A good roofer climbs up, photographs what they find and shows you. A price given from the driveway is a guess, and guesses turn into change orders.
California First Roofing: Every inspection comes with photos of what we found, so you see what we see.
3. A written, line-by-line estimate
The estimate should list materials, scope, permits and cleanup. Vague totals are where surprise charges hide. Compare quotes line by line, not just the bottom number.
California First Roofing: Our estimates are free and written. What's on paper is what you pay for.
4. A small down payment — the legal limit
In California, a home-improvement down payment can't exceed 10% of the contract or $1,000, whichever is less. Anyone asking for half up front is asking you to carry their risk.
California First Roofing: We follow the limit, and your contract shows the 3-day right to cancel (5 days if you're 65 or older).
5. Lots of recent reviews from real neighbors
A handful of perfect reviews tells you little. Look for many reviews, spread over time, that describe real jobs and how problems were handled.
California First Roofing: We're at 5.0 from 147 Google reviews from San Diego-area homeowners.
6. Local knowledge of your roof
San Diego roofs face sun, marine air, Santa Ana winds and, in some areas, fire-zone rules. A roofer who knows your city knows its permits, HOAs and typical failures before they arrive.
California First Roofing: We work San Diego and the cities around it every day — tile, shingle and flat roofs.
7. Someone who answers when it's leaking
The real test of a roofer is the call at night during a storm. Ask what happens if something goes wrong after the job.
California First Roofing: Our line, (424) 777-1619, is answered around the clock.
6 red flags to walk away from
- Knocks on your door after a storm with a 'today only' price
- Asks for a large deposit or cash before work starts
- Can't give a license number, or it belongs to someone else
- Gives a price without getting on the roof
- Pressures you to sign before you've compared quotes
- Has no local address or reviews you can check
Common questions
How many roofing quotes should I get?
Two or three is usually enough, as long as each one comes after a real inspection and is written line by line so you can compare them fairly.
Is the cheapest roofing quote a bad sign?
Not always, but a much lower price usually means something is missing — thinner underlayment, no permit, or no cleanup. Ask what's included and compare line by line.
How do I check a roofer's license in California?
Search the license number on the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website. Confirm the business name matches, the license is active and it includes roofing.
How much can a roofer ask for up front in California?
The down payment for home-improvement work is capped at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after signing?
Most home-improvement contracts signed at home give you 3 business days to cancel, or 5 if you're 65 or older. The cancellation notice should be in your contract.
Put us through the checklist
Book a free inspection. We'll show you photos of your roof, give you a written estimate, and you decide — no pressure.