Free roof inspection with deck photos before we talk money - GAF and Owens Corning certified installation
Roofers in Kensington, CA
Roofers in Kensington work on hillside homes where the marine layer, steep pitches, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone requirements create a distinct set of challenges you won’t find in flatland East Bay cities. Most Kensington roofs were built between 1920 and 1955 and have never been fully replaced, meaning we regularly encounter original skip-sheathing, deteriorated wood shake, and early composition shingles that predate modern underlayment standards. If you’re looking for a roofing company that understands these conditions, call us at (945) 303-9821 for a free written estimate before any work begins.
Why Kensington Homes Are Different
Kensington sits entirely within a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the East Bay hills, and its concentration of 1920s-1950s homes puts roofers at the epicenter of mandatory fire-resistant re-roofing demand. Because Kensington is unincorporated Contra Costa County, all permits run through the county building department in Martinez rather than Berkeley’s or El Cerrito’s municipal offices, creating a compliance pathway that out-of-area contractors regularly mishandle.
The marine layer funneling through the Golden Gate deposits persistent moisture on these hillside homes, making north- and west-facing roof planes significantly more prone to moss, lichen, and algae colonization than roofs in the flatlands of El Cerrito or Albany just below. Wind-driven fog at elevation also accelerates flashing corrosion and lifts poorly fastened shingles in ways less common at lower elevations. Many homes here are Craftsman bungalows, Tudor revivals, and stucco cottages on sharply pitched roofs that complicate safe access and staging, especially when original skip-sheathing requires full decking replacement before modern materials can be installed.
Our Main Kensington Services
These are the three services Kensington homeowners call us about most often. Each has its own dedicated page with detailed pricing, local permit guidance, and what to expect from our crew.
Roofing Company in Kensington
Our Roofing Company in Kensington handles everything from routine inspections and maintenance to emergency leak response on the steep hillside lots that define this area. We dispatch crews who understand the access challenges of Kensington’s narrow, winding streets and who arrive with background checks completed and uniforms on. Every visit starts with a written price before any work starts, and every repair carries our written guarantee under the 365-Day Done Right Promise.

Roof Repair in Kensington
Our Roof Repair in Kensington crew focuses on the specific failure patterns this climate produces: moss-damaged shingles on north faces, wind-lifted tabs from fog-driven gusts, and flashing corrosion at valleys and penetrations. We stock underlayment, fasteners, and shingles from Atlas, Tamko, and GAF so we’re not making return trips for materials. If a repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back at no charge, no questions asked.

Roof Replacement in Kensington
Our Roof Replacement in Kensington service specializes in the Class A fire-rated systems required when wood shake comes off in this VHFHSZ zone. We navigate the Contra Costa County permitting process directly, pulling permits through the Hazardous Materials and Building Inspection division in Martinez and scheduling inspections so your project isn’t delayed by jurisdictional confusion. Material options include full lines from GAF, Atlas, Tamko, and Boral so the product fits your home’s character and your budget.

What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service in Kensington
We stock parts and materials from all seven leading manufacturers: GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, Atlas, Tamko, and Boral. For Kensington’s mix of historic homes and fire-code upgrades, we most commonly specify Atlas, Tamko, and GAF shingles with matching ridge caps, drip edges, and underlayment. Most brand-specific repairs can be completed on the first visit because our trucks carry the full accessory kit for each system. See our brands for the complete lineup.
Pricing for Roofers in Kensington, CA
These are the price ranges we see most often for Kensington homes. Final cost depends on roof pitch, access difficulty, and whether we encounter original skip-sheathing that needs full decking replacement.
| Service | Typical range in Kensington |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle repair (1-3 shingles) | $180 - $340 |
| Flashing repair (chimney or valley) | $350 - $650 |
| Skylight reflash and seal | $400 - $750 |
| Partial re-decking (per square) | $85 - $140 |
| Full roof replacement, asphalt shingle | $8,500 - $14,000 |
| Full roof replacement, Class A composite | $11,000 - $18,500 |
| Wood shake tear-off + Class A upgrade | $14,000 - $24,000 |
| Ridge vent installation | $650 - $1,200 |
| Gutter apron / drip edge replacement | $450 - $900 |
| Moss treatment and prevention system | $350 - $600 |
Prices in Kensington trend toward the higher end of these ranges when homes sit on steep lots requiring scaffolding or when original skip-sheathing must be replaced with solid decking to meet current code. You’ll always receive a written, line-item price before any work starts, and that price does not change once the job begins.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Kensington
We work across all of Kensington’s hillside neighborhoods, from the Arlington Avenue corridor to the upper reaches near Kensington Circle. Crews are dispatched from our San Francisco Bay Area office, and most Kensington appointments are scheduled within a standard service window.
- Arlington Village
- Kensington Circle
- Colusa Avenue area
- Springfield Drive
- Portola Avenue
Service Area – Cities Near Kensington
Kensington sits at the center of a dense East Bay service corridor. We also work in Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, and San Francisco, CA through the Kingswell family of roofing companies. Each location operates independently under the Kingswell Guarantee, with local crews who know their specific building departments and climate conditions.
Serving Kensington, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Kensington area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Roofers in Kensington
Yes. Because Kensington is unincorporated Contra Costa County, your permit runs through the county’s Hazardous Materials and Building Inspection division in Martinez, not through Berkeley or El Cerrito. We pull these permits as part of every replacement job and schedule the required inspections so you don’t have to navigate the county system yourself. Call (945) 303-9821 if you have questions about your specific project.
A live person answers our line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends. For non-emergency estimates, we typically schedule within a few business days. For active leaks causing interior damage, we prioritize same-week response. Call (945) 303-9821 to discuss your situation and we’ll give you a specific window.
Some Kensington neighborhoods have architectural guidelines that restrict visible materials or colors. We review any HOA requirements during our initial inspection and specify products from our seven manufacturer lines that meet both the HOA’s aesthetic rules and Contra Costa County’s Class A fire rating for this VHFHSZ zone. Call (945) 303-9821 and we’ll confirm compliance before you commit to any material.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local roofing pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Kensington Customers Say
"The estimator climbed up, took photos, and showed me the actual problem areas instead of just talking. No pressure to replace anything that didn't need it. Repair's held up great."
- Tom Easley"Gutters and a section of shingles after a big wind. Answered the phone right away, came when they said, and the price on the quote is what I paid. Easy to deal with."
- Guillermo Saenz"Small leak around the chimney flashing. They sealed it properly and it's held through a wet winter. Didn't push me toward a whole roof like the last outfit tried to."
- Bernard Oakes






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