Roof replacement cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,900 – $13,900
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.40 – $6.70
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #31
- 1 = most expensive
Modesto homeowners pay roughly $6,900 to $13,900 to replace a roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $3.40 to $6.70 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Modesto is 12% higher. Roofers earn a median of $30.26 an hour in the Modesto area, 14% above the US median of $26.65.
Estimate your roof replacement cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Modesto, CA, standard level
$9,000 to $11,800
About $4.40 to $5.70 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $4,200 |
| Labor | $6,000 | $7,200 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $400 |
| Total | $9,000 | $11,800 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $3,450 | $5,250 | 33% |
| Labor | $5,100 | $6,600 | $8,100 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $310 | $520 | 3% |
| Total | $6,900 | $10,400 | $13,900 | 100% |
Where the Modesto price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on roofers, who do 85% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $30.26 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Modesto is 1.16 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 64% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,450, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $100 to $520.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Modesto is 1.16 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $30.26 an hour, which is 14% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.54 and $35.26 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 14.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.15 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 54.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.26 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $910. At the 25th percentile ($28.54) it shrinks by about $310. The total moves by 8.8% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $28.54 | $30.26 | $35.26 | $26.65 | 1.14 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Modesto against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Modesto. Merced is the lowest at about $10,100 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $6,750 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −1% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $6,650 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −3% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +13% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $6,750 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −1% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | level |
| California (statewide) | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +1% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −10% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #31 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $13,800; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $7,200 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Modesto is 1% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +13% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −2% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | level |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +13% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | −19% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,700 – $10,100 | $7,450 | −28% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | −9% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $6,100 – $12,400 | $9,250 | −11% |
When to schedule roof in Modesto
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Modesto (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
Modesto: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$6,900 to $9,700
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$9,000 to $11,800
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$11,100 to $13,900
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $4,150 – $5,900 | $5,500 – $7,250 | $6,800 – $8,550 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,900 – $9,700 | $9,000 – $11,800 | $11,100 – $13,900 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $9,600 – $13,400 | $12,500 – $16,300 | $15,400 – $19,200 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $12,300 – $17,200 | $16,000 – $20,900 | $19,700 – $24,600 |
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Modesto
Tear-off
Removing the old roof is $1-$5 per sq ft depending on the material and number of layers (HomeGuide). Check that your quote includes it.
Permit
Roof replacement permits run $100-$500 depending on the location.
Shingle type
3-tab asphalt is $3-$5 per sq ft installed; architectural is $4-$6 (HomeGuide). Metal, tile and slate are separate projects with much higher ranges.
What nearby projects cost in Modesto
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +14% and attic insulation +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,500 – $35,800 | +11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,600 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,600 – $28,800 | +14% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,200 | +5% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $9,000 to $11,800 for Modesto, CA is attached.
Detailed roof replacement report for Modesto, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, CA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Roof replacement in Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Modesto?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,900 to $13,900 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,000 to $11,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Modesto?
About $3.40 to $6.70 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $10,200, which is 1% less than Modesto ($10,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $6,600 out of $10,400. Materials are 33% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Modesto?
$9,600 to $19,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $520 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for roof compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 1% below the California statewide estimate ($10,500 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $30.26 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.54 to $35.26.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Modesto?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,900 to $9,700 and premium work $11,100 to $13,900. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+When is the best time to replace a roof in Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Roof replacement near Modesto
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = HomeGuide's asphalt shingle price of $80-$250 per roofing square (100 sq ft), i.e. $0.80-$2.50 per sq ft. The rest of the installed price covers roofer labor ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft), tear-off, disposal, underlayment and contractor overhead.