Solar Panels and Roof Replacement in Los Angeles: What to Expect
Roof replacement under solar panels in LA runs $1,500 to $4,500 extra for removal and reinstall. Here's how the process works and what to budget.
More than 300,000 homes in Los Angeles County have rooftop solar. A lot of those panels went up between 2010 and 2018, on roofs that were already 15 or 20 years old. Now those roofs are wearing out, and the panels are sitting on top of them.
If your roof needs replacement and you have solar, the job gets more complicated. Not impossible, just more expensive and more coordinated. Here’s what the process actually looks like in LA, and what you should expect to pay.
Why You Have to Remove the Panels
You cannot replace a roof with solar panels still bolted to it. The panels block access to the shingles or tiles, the mounting feet penetrate the deck, and the wiring runs across the surface where the new underlayment needs to go.
Some homeowners ask if the roofer can just work around them. The honest answer is no. Even if it were possible to slide new shingles under the panels, the result would be a patchwork roof with sealed-over hardware, voided warranties, and a guaranteed leak within a few years. The panels have to come off.
The good news is that solar removal and reinstallation is a routine job in LA. Crews do it every week. The work usually takes 1 to 2 days on each end of the roofing job.
What Solar Removal and Reinstallation Costs
Plan on $1,500 to $4,500 in extra cost on top of your roof replacement budget. The range depends on how many panels you have, how complex the wiring is, and whether the mounting hardware can be reused.
Here’s a rough breakdown for an average LA home:
- 6 to 12 panels: $1,500 to $2,500 for removal and reinstall
- 13 to 24 panels: $2,500 to $3,500
- 25 to 40 panels: $3,500 to $4,500
- Battery system tied to panels: add $500 to $1,200
These numbers cover labor, new mounting hardware where needed, re-flashing the penetrations, and reconnecting the system. They do not include any panel repairs or inverter replacement if older equipment fails during removal.
Two things drive the price up in LA. First, hillside homes and steep pitches add labor time. Second, older systems from 2012 or earlier often use mounting hardware that is no longer made. If the old feet can’t be reused, the solar crew has to install new ones, which means new roof penetrations and more flashing work.
Who Does the Solar Work
The panels need to come off and go back on through a licensed solar contractor, not the roofer. Roofing crews handle shingles and underlayment. Solar crews handle electrical disconnect, panel removal, mounting hardware, and reconnection to the inverter and the grid.
You have two options for coordinating this:
- Hire your original solar installer if they’re still in business. They have your system records and know your equipment.
- Hire a third-party solar removal company. There are several in LA that specialize in this exact service for roof replacement jobs.
Either way, the solar crew and the roofing crew need to schedule together. The solar removal happens on day one. The roofer then has a clear deck to work with. Reinstallation happens after the roof passes inspection and the new surface is fully sealed.
A good roofer will coordinate the scheduling with the solar contractor directly so you’re not running between two companies trying to line up dates.
The Full Project Timeline
A standard roof replacement in LA takes 3 to 5 days. With solar, add 2 to 3 days for removal and reinstallation work. The realistic timeline looks like this:
- Day 1: Solar disconnect and panel removal
- Days 2 to 5: Tear-off, deck repair, underlayment, new roofing material
- Day 6: Final roof inspection and cleanup
- Days 7 to 8: Solar reinstallation, system reconnection, performance check
Permit timing matters too. LA Department of Building and Safety requires a roofing permit for any tear-off job. If the solar reinstall changes any of the original wiring or mounting layout, a new electrical permit may also be required. Your contractors handle the paperwork, but expect to add a week to the total project for permit pull and final inspection.
What to Watch Out For
A few problems come up often on solar-plus-roof jobs in LA. Knowing them ahead of time saves money.
Old mounting penetrations. When the panels come off, you’ll see 20 to 50 holes in the existing roof deck. These need to be properly flashed when the panels go back on. If the new flashing isn’t done right, you’ll have leaks within the first rainy season. Make sure your roofer and solar contractor agree on who handles this and how.
Panel damage during removal. Older panels become brittle from years of UV exposure. Occasionally a panel cracks during removal. Most solar removal companies carry insurance for this, but ask before work starts.
System downtime. Your solar production goes to zero for 7 to 10 days during the project. If you have time-of-use billing through LADWP or SCE, plan for a higher electric bill that month.
Old inverters. If your inverter is 10 or more years old, the solar contractor may recommend replacement during the reinstall. This is a reasonable suggestion, since dropping a failed inverter into a new install creates a service call later. Replacement runs $1,800 to $3,500 depending on system size.
When to Do the Job
If your roof is close to the end of its life, do the replacement before the panels need any service. Pulling panels off a worn-out roof to replace the roof, then putting them back on, is one project. Pulling them off twice, once for a service call and once for replacement, is two projects and double the labor cost.
For homes in Woodland Hills, Tarzana, and other Valley neighborhoods where heat shortens roof life, this often means replacing the roof at year 18 to 22 even if it isn’t actively leaking. The math works out in your favor when you combine the projects.
Coastal homes in Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and the Westside have less heat stress but more marine layer moisture under the panels. Check the signs of a failing roof every couple of years if you have solar over a 20-plus year roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my roof without removing the solar panels?
No. The panels block access to the entire roof surface, and the mounting hardware penetrates the deck. Any attempt to work around the panels leaves you with sealed-over hardware and a roof that will leak. Removal is required.
How much extra does roof replacement cost with solar panels?
Plan on $1,500 to $4,500 in additional cost for solar removal and reinstallation. The amount depends on the number of panels, the age of the mounting hardware, and whether your inverter needs replacement.
Who handles the solar removal, the roofer or the solar company?
A licensed solar contractor handles the panel removal and reinstall. The roofer handles the roofing work. A good roofing company will coordinate scheduling with the solar contractor so the project flows smoothly.
Will my solar warranty be voided by the removal?
Most modern solar warranties allow for panel removal and reinstall as long as a licensed contractor does the work. Check your warranty paperwork or call your panel manufacturer before scheduling.
How long is my solar system offline during the project?
Plan on 7 to 10 days with no solar production. Your home pulls all power from the grid during that window, so expect a higher electric bill for the month.
Should I upgrade my inverter at the same time?
If your inverter is 10 or more years old, this is a good time to replace it. Pulling the system apart for the roof job already opens up access, and a failing inverter installed under new panels creates a service call later.
Get a Coordinated Estimate
Roof replacement under solar is a job that needs experienced coordination. We work with several solar contractors in the LA area and can schedule the full project so you’re not chasing two companies. Call Best LA Roofing at (818) 446-6122 for a free estimate on your roof replacement with solar coordination, or request a roof inspection to find out how much life your current roof has left.