How Much Does a Commercial Roof Cost?
The average life span of a commercial roof is anywhere between 10-40 years. If yours is older than that, it will begin to show its age. When that happens, your business will become vulnerable to water damage and mold growth.
After they reach a certain age, most roofs stop insulating as they should, leading to higher energy bills as well.
To save money and keep the rest of your building in one piece, you may need to opt for commercial roof replacement. The question is, how much is it going to cost you?
You’ll find that prices can vary depending on several factors. Continue reading to find out what to expect.
Sloped Vs. Flat
The most common style of commercial roofing is flat. Depending on the type of materials used, they can be unreliable during a heavy storm, but the cost of labor and installation are low. They’re also energy-efficient.
Since it’s easier and safer for contractors to walk across them, replacing flat rooftops is often inexpensive.
Sloped rooftops are much more popular with residential properties, but they do offer quite a few benefits that business owners can take advantage of.
They’re easier to maintain than flat roofs. Rain will run off the side, reducing the potential for water damage.
The price for a sloped roof will vary based on the material used, but more often than not, they’re pricier than flat roofs.
Roofing Materials
When it comes to materials, most business owners opt for metal. Not only is it durable and fire-resistant, but it’s also inexpensive.
Metal roof replacement will cost you anywhere between 7 to 15 dollars per square foot.
The main complaint of metal roofs is aesthetics, but this material has come a long way. It can be made to look like other (more luxurious) materials.
Size
Most commercial roofing companies use square feet in order to produce an accurate price quote. The larger your roof, the more expensive your replacement will be.
No matter what type of material you choose, it will cost a lot more to put a roof on a small convenience store than an entire shopping mall.
Accessibility
The price difference between replacing a roof on a skyscraper and a two-story store is staggering. The reason being is that one of these jobs involves the use of a crane. The other does not.
The height of your building is only one factor that plays into accessibility. You also have to think about occupancy.
If you own a hospital, contractors will have to take special care when replacing your roof for the safety of your patients. Depending on the nature of your company, they may even have to work after you close your doors for the day.
If your building is in a tightly packed town, it will be difficult for the roofing company to maneuver their equipment around the other buildings in the area to get to yours.
Labor
Most roofing jobs only require three workers. One to tear up the old roof and two to install the new one.
If your roof is on the larger side or has a complex roofline, the company may have to call in a few more workers. If you have obstructions such as skylights installed on your roof, working around them will add to the overall labor cost as well.
Underlayment
Your underlayment is a system that rests under your commercial roof. It consists of the insulation, cover board, roof structure, and additional substrate materials.
If it’s in good shape, your roofing company won’t have to do much to it in order to install a new roof. If your underlayment has suffered a great deal of water damage over the years, however, that’s a different story.
The underlayment will have to be replaced along with your roof which will add to your bill.
Warranty
Commercial roof replacement is a huge investment. You want to make sure that it’s covered in the event that something goes wrong. To this end, you should ask your commercial roofing company about their warranty options.
A lower warranty will come with a smaller price tag, but it won’t cover much. If you want a little more peace of mind, you should consider a full system or contractor’s warranty. It will cost more, but you can rest easy knowing that your new investment is protected from almost everything.
Code Requirements
Different states have different code laws. Florida, for example, requires roofs to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Your roofing company will be able to meet this requirement, but they’ll have to use stronger materials.
Maintenance
The job isn’t done once the system is installed. Your roof will need regular maintenance to stay in top shape and protect your business.
Many roofing companies will ask you to sign a maintenance contract. They’ll do routine work on your roof, but it will cost extra.
Even with the added cost, signing a maintenance contract can be cheaper than not because it will increase the longevity of your roof.
The Cost of Commercial Roof Replacement
Is your roof beginning to leak? It might be time to look into a commercial roof replacement.
As you can see, the cost of the replacement can vary based on the materials used and the style of the new roof. You have to consider the code requirements in your area and labor costs as well.
The larger your roof, the more money you’ll have to pay per square foot, and you shouldn’t forget to ask about your warranty options.
Are you ready to schedule your roof replacement? Contact us to book an appointment today.
