How long you can go without a commercial roof replacement depends entirely on your roof’s material. For example, a copper metal roof can last 50 years while a fiber cement shingle roof can only last 25 years. If you think you need a roof replacement, research the specific lifespan of your roof’s material.
If you find you need a replacement, you’ll need to learn about its cost. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know the exact cost of commercial roof replacement services. You’ll only know the true cost after you get a quote from a roofing company.
However, you can make some estimates. Read on to learn how.
Estimating Building Code Compliance
When replacing old roofs, building owners and contractors can’t just do whatever they want. There should be local, state, and regional building codes they need to follow. This may mean that they need to add certain features to a roof.
For example, certain building codes require buildings to have some degree of insulation. Purchasing the insulation and adding it to the commercial roof system will be an extra cost. Should building owners try to skip over codes, they could face hefty fines and also put the building’s occupants at risk.
Make sure to look up your area’s building codes before you start estimating a commercial roof replacement cost. You can then add any features you’re required to have to the final cost.
Estimating Severity of Replacement
A roof replacement doesn’t have to be very complex. Some commercial roof materials can be installed right on top of the old materials. However, to do this, your roof system has to be new enough that it won’t crumble before the new materials expire.
Roofing contractors should inspect your roof before they start any replacements. They can then tell you just how much of the roof needs to get replaced. However, you can check for damage and deterioration yourself to some degree.
Roof Inspection
Look at the scaffolding bars directly under the roof. If they’re metal, check for rust. If they’re wood, check for rot and/or mold growth.
You can also check for any obvious holes in the roofing. You can then make an estimate based on the kinds of damage that you see. Overall, though, replacing old roofs with a lot of damage is far more costly than replacing newer roofs with less damage.
Estimating Roof Access Cost
How easy is it for roofers to get their materials onto your roof? Can they work at reasonable hours? These questions can be the difference between a higher or lower cost.
Building height
The height of your building determines how easy or hard it is for roofers to get materials to your roof. It’s easier if your building is one or two stories. Roofers can easily get ladders and carry the materials onto your roof.
The situation is different if your building has seven or more stories. Roofers will likely need to use a crane to carry roof replacement supplies up to your roof. You’ll have to pay for the cost of renting and/or using a crane.
Material Storage
Roofers will likely want to transport as many commercial roof materials as they can to your building in one trip. However, to do that, they will need a place to store these materials. These aren’t always easy to find.
If your building can’t hold the materials, roofers may lay them down somewhere on your property. However, your building may be in a densely packed urban area. If so, it will probably be impossible to find a place to lay materials down.
Roofers may need to pay to store materials in a storage facility nearby. You’ll likely have to foot this bill.
Building occupancy
It’s understandable if you don’t want your building to stop operating during a roof replacement. This can eat into your profits. However, it’s dangerous to continue operating during the construction work.
The employees of your commercial building will be subject to very loud noises. They may also have to deal with health hazardous dust and falling objects. Your employees can become sick or injured from this and/or refuse to work.
Therefore, it may be best for the commercial roof replacement work to take place at night. However, you’ll likely have to pay roofers more to work irregular hours.
Estimating the Roof Materials Cost
You can either replace the roof material that your commercial roof already has or get another material. However, you may want to consider the costs of the new materials before you do. Some materials can get very pricey.
Metal
Metal roofing materials are usually the most expensive of all choices. However, some metals are more expensive than others. For instance, aluminum tends to be far cheaper than steel or copper.
However, the high price of metal materials can be worth it. Metal materials are highly durable and can last for several decades.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the cheapest type of roofing materials on the market. However, they also tend to last the least time. If you don’t mind replacing this material frequently, this could be a good replacement material for you.
Built-Up Bituminous Roofing (BUR)
Built-Up Bituminous Roofing (BUR) can be a good mid-range choice. It’s a roofing type that consists of several layers of material. A lot of flat roofs use these commercial roof materials.
BUR roofs are usually fairly sturdy and are not easily damaged by falling debris. They also look very attractive on a commercial flat roof.
Let Us Handle Your Commercial Roof Replacement
As you can see, the price of a commercial roof replacement can get costly. However, you must spend enough on a commercial roof replacement to protect your building and occupants. The prices you pay for damage control later could be worse.
Do you need a commercial roof replacement? If so, use our services. With a vast resume backed by decades of experience and practical, on-the-job knowledge, our team is well-equipped to handle any commercial roof construction project.
Get a quote from us by filling out your information on this page.