Planning a commercial property renovation involves a lot of decisions. One of the most confusing areas is how to approach the roof renovation, especially if it involves dealing with aging or failing commercial roof systems. Should you consider a commercial roof replacement, or will restoration be sufficient? And commercial roof repair cost plays a huge role in making that decision.
The Importance of Roofing in Commercial Property Renovations
A commercial renovation is an expensive endeavor, and your commercial roof’s job is to protect that investment (as well as improve energy efficiency). A poorly planned roofing project, or one the project owner plans to skip altogether, is a mistake with some serious consequences. Before you start any other aspect of the renovation, you need to determine:
- If your existing roof needs simple repairs or a complete tear off
- Which roofing materials would be best for your building and the local climate
- The total of the roof replacement cost, including labor costs, and the impact on the budget
- The scope of the roofing project (just a patch, or do you need a new roof?)
Commercial Roof Repair vs. Commercial Roof Replacement
You have so many other things to think about when planning a commercial renovation that spending too much time on the roof doesn’t make sense, either. Luckily, you can decide between a commercial roof repair or a roof replacement relatively quickly.
Choose Roofing Repair If:
- The roof structure is intact and sound
- Any damage is minor, localized, and relatively easy to fix
- The roof’s lifespan has a decade or more left
- Your budget is tight and you need a short term, cost effective solution
Choose a Roof Replacement If:
- The old roof is failing with damage in multiple areas
- Leaks or trapped moisture are becoming more and more common
- Your commercial property renovation budget allows
- You want a fresh start toward energy efficiency
- Your goal is to significantly increase the building’s long-term value
Choosing between the two options is important, as replacing a roofing system is far more expensive than repairs or even roof restoration. Commercial roof replacement costs include more roofing material, more labor costs, and a longer time frame, adding up to significantly more than a repair.
What Impacts Your Commercial Roof Cost?
Several factors play into the cost of a commercial property renovation, especially when it comes to the commercial roof repair cost.
Roofing Material Selection
The commercial roof material chosen is a major cost factor. Single-ply roofing is considerably less expensive than materials like standing seam metal roofs or built-up bituminous roofing. This also impacts the labor costs, as applying single-ply roofing to commercial buildings requires fewer hands than a modified bitumen system, which requires fewer hands than a BUR.
Also, keep in mind that some materials have higher upfront costs, but are low maintenance, reducing the overall cost of ownership over time. Your roofing company should be able to guide you on choosing the right material for the long term.
Roofing Size
It should go without saying, but the size of the roof impacts the commercial roof cost. The impact isn’t completely linear, though. The larger the roof, the more expensive, but the less per square foot overall. It’s a sliding scale.
Roof Structure
Roof structure is a factor. Most commercial buildings have flat or sloped roofs, which allows project owners to choose certain affordable materials. Sloped roofs require metal roofs or asphalt shingles, which can be more expensive to install.
Current Roof’s Condition
The state of the existing roof will determine whether repairs are sufficient or you’ll need a complete tear-off. It’s much more affordable to repair a roof, or even restore it with specialized coatings, but it may not be feasible if the roof is in disrepair. Also, it’s a good idea to use moisture-detecting equipment to determine if there is moisture trapped under the existing roof, even if it looks like it’s in suitable condition.
Be Sure to Get an Accurate Estimate
It’s important for property owners to understand all of those factors to ensure they get an accurate estimate. It’s entirely acceptable to get multiple quotes from different companies, but make sure they’re all using these factors to assemble their estimates.
Planning Your Commercial Roofing Project
Here’s a quick checklist to guide the construction and renovation process:
- Inspect the Existing Roof
Look for damaged areas to determine the condition of the roof. Use advanced tools like moisture-detecting equipment to assess damage beneath the surface. - Define Scope and Budget
Determine the size of your roofing project, materials, and your working budget. Don’t forget to include soft costs like permits and design—individually, they aren’t much, but they can add up. - Compare Roofing Materials
Choose the right solution based on roof design, performance needs, and commercial roofing materials best suited to your commercial building. - Request Multiple Bids
Feel free to contact multiple roofing companies to compare commercial roof replacement costs, timelines, and track records. Be sure to keep reputation, company history, and reliability in mind, though, as commercial roof cost shouldn’t be the only factor. - Plan Around Building Occupancy
If contractors will be working on occupied buildings, ask them to schedule work during off-hours and ensure safety measures are in place.
Let TopKey Construction Handle Your Commercial Roof Renovation
At TopKey Construction, we know that a commercial roof is one of the most important aspects of any commercial renovation project. That’s why we help our customers determine if commercial roof repair costs are worth it, or if a complete replacement is a better decision. Our goal is always to offer as much value for the customer, and sometimes that means repair, while other times, a replacement is a better option.
If you’re ready to start your commercial renovation project, contact TopKey Construction. We have extensive experience in the commercial construction industry. And, unlike other roofing contractors, we put our customers first. Contact TopKey today.