Nobody thinks about their roof until water comes through the ceiling. Then it's the only thing you think about. A roof replacement is one of the biggest single expenses a homeowner faces, and the difference between a good install and a bad one is the difference between 30 years of no problems and 5 years of leaks, warranty fights, and insurance headaches.
We asked homeowners across Morgan Hill and Gilroy who they've used for roof work. Here's what we found.
O'Connell Roofing
O'Connell has been around the South Bay for decades. They handle residential and commercial roofing across Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and the broader San Jose area. They're one of the companies that show up with a real crew, not subcontractors, which matters for quality control. They do asphalt shingle, tile, flat roofing, and repairs. If you're getting a roof with the intention of adding solar later, mention that upfront. The roof attachment points and the shingle warranty need to account for panel mounting.
Where: Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and South Bay Best for: Full replacements, tile roofing, solar-prep installs License: Verify C-39 Roofing at CSLB
Roofing Solutions
A mid-size contractor that works the South County corridor. They do both new installs and repair work. Homeowners mention them for good communication during the job, meaning they show up when they say, protect the property during work (tarps, debris cleanup), and walk you through the final inspection. For repair work, especially leak chasing after winter storms, they're worth calling.
Where: Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and surrounding areas Best for: Leak repairs, storm damage, shingle replacements
What Roofing Costs in Morgan Hill & Gilroy
Asphalt shingle replacement (most common): $10,000 to $20,000 for a typical single-story ranch home (1,500 to 2,500 sq ft). This includes tear-off of the old roof, new underlayment, shingles, and flashing. Add $2,000 to $5,000 for a two-story home.
Tile roof replacement: $15,000 to $30,000+. Tile lasts longer (50+ years for concrete tile) but costs significantly more to install because of the weight and labor involved.
Roof repair (leak fix): $300 to $1,500 depending on the scope. A single cracked shingle is cheap. Flashing failures around skylights or chimneys are more involved.
Full tear-off vs. overlay: A new layer of shingles over the old one (overlay) costs less but voids most manufacturer warranties and adds weight the structure wasn't designed for. Tear-off is always the better long-term choice. California building code allows a maximum of two layers of roofing. If you already have two, tear-off is required.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
"Who does the actual work?" Some roofing companies sub out to crews they don't directly manage. Ask if the company uses W-2 employees or subcontractors. Both can do good work, but accountability is clearer with in-house crews.
"What's the warranty structure?" You'll get two warranties: the manufacturer's warranty on materials (25 to 50 years for shingles, lifetime for some tile) and the contractor's workmanship warranty (typically 5 to 15 years). The workmanship warranty is the one that matters day-to-day, because most roof failures are install errors, not material defects.
"Will you pull the permit?" The City of Morgan Hill and City of Gilroy both require roofing permits. The permit triggers an inspection, which is your free quality check. Any roofer who says permits aren't needed is either wrong or cutting corners.
"How do you handle solar?" If solar panels are in your future, tell the roofer now. Some shingle types and attachment methods work better under solar mounting. Getting this right at roofing time saves $2,000 to $5,000 in rework later.
Got a roofer in the South Valley who does great work? Email [email protected].
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