If you own a home in San Rafael, you know the challenges that come with Marin County living. The coastal fog that rolls in from the Pacific, the steep hillside lots in the Terra Linda and Lucas Valley neighborhoods, and the strict fire safety requirements in Wildland-Urban Interface zones all demand a contractor who understands local conditions. At Hamilton Exteriors, we bring an architect's eye and a builder's precision to every project in San Rafael.
We are a full-service design-build contractor serving homeowners across Marin County. From roof replacements on Victorian homes in the Gerstle Park neighborhood to custom ADUs in the hills above Peacock Gap, we handle the full range of home exterior projects. Our founder, Alex Hamilton Li, is a licensed architect and general contractor who personally oversees every project. We hold CSLB #1078806, and we have completed more than 500 projects across the Bay Area since 2018.
Ready to discuss your San Rafael project? Get Your Free Quote or call us at (650) 977-3351.
Why San Rafael Homeowners Choose Hamilton Exteriors
San Rafael is Marin County's largest city, with a housing stock that spans from 1920s Craftsman bungalows in the downtown core to mid-century Eichlers in the Terra Linda hills to modern custom homes in the Lucas Valley Estates. Each of these homes has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all contractor approach simply does not work.
Architect-led design-build. Unlike most general contractors in San Rafael, Hamilton Exteriors is led by a licensed architect. Alex Hamilton Li evaluates your home as a complete system, considering how roofing, siding, windows, and structural elements work together. This means fewer change orders, better material selection, and a finished project that looks like it was designed, not just built.
Marin County expertise. We have worked extensively in Marin County and know the specific requirements of every jurisdiction. San Rafael's building department, located at 1400 Fifth Avenue, has its own permitting process and inspection standards. We handle all permit applications and inspections for you.
Transparent pricing. Every estimate we provide is fully itemized, with per-square pricing for roofing, per-linear-foot pricing for siding, and per-unit pricing for windows. You see exactly where every dollar goes. No lump-sum bids that hide markups.
GAF Master Elite certification. We are one of fewer than 3 percent of roofing contractors nationwide to hold GAF Master Elite certification. This allows us to offer GAF's 50-year system warranty, covering both materials and workmanship.
Our Services in San Rafael
We offer a complete range of home exterior services for San Rafael homeowners. Every service includes a on-site inspection and a fully itemized estimate.
Roofing
San Rafael's climate is tough on roofs. The coastal fog that blankets the city, particularly in the downtown and Canal neighborhoods, accelerates wear on asphalt shingles. The inland heat in the Lucas Valley and Santa Venetia areas causes thermal expansion that can crack older materials. And with most of Marin County designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) by CAL FIRE, you need Class A fire-rated roofing materials.
We install:
- Asphalt shingles from GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning. $940 to $1,125 per square (100 sq ft) installed (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). 25 to 50-year lifespan.
- Metal roofing in standing seam, corrugated, and stone-coated steel. $1,200 to $1,800 per square installed. 40 to 70-year lifespan. Ideal for fire zones.
- Tile roofing in clay and concrete. $1,500 to $2,500 per square installed. 50 to 100-year lifespan. Common on Spanish-style homes in the Bayside Acres neighborhood.
All roofing projects include tear-off of existing layers, synthetic underlayment, new flashing, ridge vents, and permit fees. Structural decking repair, if needed, is quoted separately at $75 to $150 per 4x8 sheet (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data).
See our full roofing services page or read our roof replacement cost guide for detailed pricing.
Siding
San Rafael's older homes often have original wood siding that is showing its age. The coastal moisture causes rot, particularly on the north and west elevations. We specialize in James Hardie fiber cement siding, which resists moisture, fire, and termites.
We install:
- James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding. $8 to $14 per square foot installed (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). 30-year warranty.
- James Hardie HardiePanel vertical siding. $9 to $15 per square foot installed. Popular on mid-century homes.
- James Hardie HardieTrim boards. $12 to $18 per linear foot installed. For window and door trim, corner boards, and fascia.
Hamilton Exteriors is a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, the highest level of certification. This means we are factory-trained and can offer enhanced warranties.
See our full siding services page.
Windows
Energy-efficient windows are one of the best investments you can make in a San Rafael home. The foggy climate means homes lose significant heat through single-pane windows, and the summer sun in the Terra Linda hills can overheat rooms with west-facing glass.
We install:
- Vinyl windows from Milgard and Simonton. $600 to $1,200 per window installed (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). Energy Star certified.
- Fiberglass windows from Marvin and Pella. $1,000 to $2,000 per window installed. Superior durability in coastal climates.
- Aluminum-clad wood windows from Andersen. $1,200 to $2,500 per window installed. Classic look for traditional homes.
All window installations include full-frame replacement, new flashing, interior and exterior trim, and cleanup. We handle all Title 24 energy compliance documentation.
See our full window replacement services page.
ADU Construction
San Rafael has embraced ADU construction as a way to address the housing shortage. The city's ADU ordinance allows for attached, detached, and junior ADUs on most single-family lots. Permit fees in San Rafael are approximately $2,500 to $5,000 for a standard ADU, depending on size and complexity (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data).
We build:
- Detached ADUs. 400 to 1,200 sq ft. $300 to $500 per square foot (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). Typical total: $120,000 to $600,000.
- Attached ADUs. 200 to 800 sq ft. $250 to $400 per square foot. Typical total: $50,000 to $320,000.
- Garage conversions. 200 to 500 sq ft. $150 to $250 per square foot. Typical total: $30,000 to $125,000.
Every ADU we build includes architect-designed plans, all permits, structural engineering, and a full warranty. See our ADU construction services page or read our ADU cost guide.
Home Additions
San Rafael's single-family neighborhoods, from the rolling hills of Peacock Gap to the flat streets of the Canal area, offer opportunities for home additions that add significant value. Whether you need a second story, a master suite, or a family room expansion, we handle the entire process from design through final inspection.
Typical addition costs in San Rafael:
- First-floor addition. 200 to 800 sq ft. $250 to $400 per square foot (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data).
- Second-story addition. 400 to 1,200 sq ft. $350 to $550 per square foot.
- Room addition (single room). 150 to 400 sq ft. $200 to $350 per square foot.
All prices include architectural design, structural engineering, permits, and construction. See our home addition services page or read our home addition cost guide.
Custom Homes
For homeowners looking to build from the ground up, we offer full custom home construction. San Rafael's hillside lots present unique challenges, from geotechnical requirements to view preservation to fire-safe design. Our architect-led approach ensures that your new home is both beautiful and functional.
Custom home costs in San Rafael typically range from $400 to $700 per square foot, depending on site conditions, finish level, and complexity. See our custom home building page.
Decks
San Rafael's mild climate makes outdoor living a year-round pleasure. We build decks using composite materials (Trex, TimberTech) and natural wood (cedar, redwood). Deck costs range from $30 to $60 per square foot installed, depending on material and complexity (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data).
See our deck building services page.
San Rafael Building Permits and Codes
Every home exterior project in San Rafael requires a building permit from the City of San Rafael Building Department. The department is located at 1400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 100, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Key permit requirements for San Rafael:
- Roof replacement: Permit required. Fee: $500 to $800 for a standard 20-square roof (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). Plan review required for tile or metal roofs.
- Siding replacement: Permit required if more than 25 percent of the siding is replaced. Fee: $200 to $400.
- Window replacement: Permit required for full-frame replacements. Fee: $100 to $200 per window.
- ADU: Permit required. Fee: $2,500 to $5,000. Plan review and structural engineering required.
- Home addition: Permit required. Fee: $1,000 to $5,000 depending on size. Plan review required.
- Deck: Permit required for decks over 30 inches above grade. Fee: $200 to $500.
Hamilton Exteriors handles all permit applications and inspections for every project. We know the San Rafael building department's requirements and can navigate the process efficiently.
San Rafael Climate and Construction Considerations
San Rafael sits at the intersection of two distinct microclimates. The eastern portion of the city, including the Canal neighborhood and downtown, is influenced by San Francisco Bay and experiences frequent coastal fog. The western hills, including Terra Linda and Lucas Valley, are drier and warmer, with summer temperatures regularly reaching the mid-80s.
Coastal moisture. The fog that rolls in from the bay carries salt-laden moisture that accelerates corrosion on exposed metal. We use stainless steel or galvanized fasteners on all projects in San Rafael, and we recommend metal roofing with Kynar 500 coatings for maximum corrosion resistance.
Fire risk. According to CAL FIRE, most of San Rafael is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This means any new roofing or siding must meet California Chapter 7A standards for fire resistance. We use Class A fire-rated materials on every project in San Rafael, and we install ember-resistant vents where required.
Seismic considerations. Marin County sits near the San Andreas Fault, which runs through the Point Reyes area. While San Rafael is in a moderate seismic zone, older homes may need structural reinforcement before major renovations. We include a structural assessment in every project estimate.
Ready to Start Your San Rafael Project?
Hamilton Exteriors is San Rafael's architect-led design-build contractor. We bring the precision of an architect and the reliability of a licensed general contractor to every project. From roof replacements to custom ADUs, we handle the full range of home exterior work in Marin County.
Call us at (650) 977-3351 or Get Your Free Quote today. CSLB #1078806. GAF Master Elite Certified. James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor.
