Reroof with Solar in Glendale, CA: Why Doing Both at Once Saves Time and Money

Most homeowners plan these as two separate conversations. The roof goes first, then a year or two later, they get a solar quote. That sequence is understandable, but it's not optimal. When you install solar on a roof that wasn't built with panels in mind, or worse, on a roof that'll need replacement in five years, you end up paying twice for work that could have been done once.

We hold a C-39 roofing contractor license and a C-46 solar contractor license under one CSLB number (#964965). Not many companies in Glendale can say that. Here's why it matters and what a combined project actually looks like.

The Real Cost of Doing Them Separately.

Here's the number that usually gets people's attention: if you install solar now and replace the roof in four or five years, removing and reinstalling the solar panels for the reroof adds $3,000 to $6,000 to that future roofing job. The solar company has to come out, disconnect the system, remove the panels and racking, store them during the roofing work, and reinstall and recommission everything. That's real labor and real cost that doesn't exist if you do both at the same time.

There's an additional risk if you use a different company for the panel removal and reinstallation to save on cost. Any company other than your original installer will not be accountable for how the system was designed and installed — which means potential gaps in warranty coverage and unclear liability if something goes wrong during or after the work. Staying with the original installer protects your warranty. Switching to a lower-cost third party can void it.

Beyond the direct cost, there's the coordination cost. Two contractors, two permits, two project timelines, and two sets of roofing penetrations to manage. When a solar company comes in after a roofer, they work around what they find instead of planning for it. The mounting points — where the racking hardware goes through the shingles — are the most common source of solar-related roof leaks. When we do both, we control those penetrations from the start.

What It Costs to Reroof with Solar in Glendale

The combined project range

A combined project of reroof with solar in Glendale typically runs $28,000 to $55,000, depending on roof size and complexity, solar system size, and material choices. That sounds like a wide range because it is. A 1,500 square foot single-story home with a 6 kW solar system is a different project than a 2,800 square foot two-story home with a 10 kW array.

Compare it to the two-project alternative

Run the math before you assume the bundle costs more. A standalone reroof might run $14,000. A standalone solar install might run $24,000. That's $38,000 for two projects done separately, not counting the panel removal and reinstallation cost if you sequence them wrong. A combined project in the same range, done right, typically comes in at or below the two-project total and saves weeks of disruption.

Financing the combined project

Solar loans can be structured to cover the full combined project cost. You own both the roof and the solar system from day one. Monthly loan payments are typically offset by the reduction in your GWP bill. Under GWP's 1:1 net metering, the solar economics in Glendale are strong enough that the combined project often pencils out faster than you'd expect.

How the Combined Project Actually Works

One permit process, not two

A combined reroof and solar project requires both a roofing permit and a solar permit from Glendale's Building and Safety Division, plus a GWP interconnection application. We handle all of it. You don't coordinate between multiple contractors or track multiple permit applications. One point of contact, one project manager, one timeline.

The sequence matters

We do the roofing first. Tear-off, decking inspection, underlayment, shingles. Before the first shingle goes down, we've already planned the solar layout. We know exactly where the rails are going, which means the racking penetrations are positioned correctly from the start and flashed as part of the roofing work. It's not an afterthought.

Timeline: 6 to 8 weeks from signed contract to installed system

A like-for-like shingle replacement combined with solar typically completes in 6 to 8 weeks from signed contract to a fully installed and inspected system. If the roofing scope includes a roof type change, such as going from tile to shingle, the permit plan check takes longer and the timeline extends accordingly. GWP interconnection and Permission to Operate add additional time before you can export to the grid, typically 2 to 4 weeks after installation.

Why the License Combination Matters

In California, roofing work requires a C-39 license and solar work requires a C-46 license. They're issued separately. A roofing company that subcontracts the solar, or a solar company that subcontracts the roofing, means two different entities on your project. Two contracts, two warranty documents, and two places to point fingers if something goes wrong.

We hold both under one CSLB number (#964965). The same company pulls both permits, the same crew is on your roof for both phases, and you get one warranty covering both. If a roof penetration leaks in three years, there's no question about whose responsibility it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my roof actually need replacement before solar?

Not always. If your roof is under 10 years old and in good condition, solar can go on it. If it's 15 or more years old, the risk of removing and reinstalling panels during a future reroof is real. We assess the roof condition during the site visit and give you a straight answer.

What if I want solar now but the roof can wait a few years?

We get this a lot. The honest answer: if it can genuinely wait 10 or more years, solar now is fine. If the roof realistically needs replacement in 3 to 7 years, the panel removal and reinstallation cost will eat into your solar payback. Run the numbers on both scenarios before you decide.

What happens to GWP net metering when we combine both projects?

Nothing changes. The interconnection application is tied to the solar system, not the roof. Once the full project passes inspection and we submit to GWP, the net metering enrollment proceeds exactly as it would for a solar-only install.

Do you offer a combined warranty for roof and solar?

Yes. Because we hold both licenses and complete both scopes of work, we can issue a single workmanship warranty covering the roofing installation and the solar installation. Material warranties are separate from the manufacturers — GAF or Owens Corning for roofing, Enphase for inverters, the panel manufacturer for modules.

Can I add a battery to the combined project?

Yes, and it's worth considering now rather than later. Adding a battery backup system as part of the original project means one mobilization, one permit package, and one GWP interconnection process. Adding it later means another permit and another GWP application.

Bottom Line

If your roof is at or near the end of its useful life and solar has been on your radar, doing both at the same time is almost always the smarter financial move. You save on panel removal and reinstallation, you control the roofing penetrations from the start, and you deal with one contractor instead of two — with one warranty and clear accountability throughout. We're one of the few companies in Glendale that genuinely holds both the C-39 and C-46 licenses. CSLB #964965.

Ready to get started?

We'll assess your roof and design your solar system at the same site visit — one conversation, one quote covering both.

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