Home Repair Costs in San Francisco
Permits in San Francisco
San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection says some construction projects do not need a permit, and it publishes the list of exempt work. The complete list is in San Francisco Building Code section 106A.2.
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
San Francisco lists painting, papering and similar finish work; minor repairs to interior plaster or wallboard unless required for fire protection; replacing inside doors unless required for fire protection; floor coverings outside bathrooms that don't require removing required flooring; reroofing up to 25 percent of the roof's surface area in any 12-month period, without installing, repairing or removing roof material; one-story sheds under 100 square feet of projected roof area and no taller than 8 feet; fences under 6 feet at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property; and retaining walls not over 4 feet.
Estimated cost of common jobs
| Job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heater Replacement | $790 | $2,150 |
| Roof Replacement | $7,550 | $24,500 |
| AC Replacement | $3,900 | $9,350 |
| Furnace Replacement | $3,050 | $8,900 |
| Toilet Replacement | $240 | $1,000 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $1,300 | $3,900 |
| Drain Cleaning | $110 | $470 |
| Garage Door Repair | $100 | $710 |
Hourly rates
| Trade | Median wage | Billed low | Billed high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $37.44 | $94 | $168 |
| Electrician | $44.63 | $112 | $201 |
| HVAC Technician | $37.73 | $94 | $170 |
| Handyman | $30.59 | $76 | $138 |
| Roofer | $35.74 | $89 | $161 |
| Carpenter | $42.89 | $107 | $193 |
| Painter | $30.58 | $76 | $138 |
California contractor licensing
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.