4 Factors That Affect Your Commercial Flat Roof Replacement Estimates
Your roof is one of the best forms of protection that your building has—don’t take it for granted by putting off a replacement when it’s needed. Failure to replace an aging or extensively damaged roof almost always leads to significantly greater repair costs.
You need a roof in good condition to stay in operation. If you’re worried about the cost of a commercial flat roof replacement, consider the money you may have to spend on repairs alone.
So, how much will you spend on a roof replacement? The replacement estimates a roofing company will give you depend on four primary variables: project complexity, roof size, material availability and cost, and warranty coverage.
1. The Complexity of the Job
There are two primary commercial roof replacement methods: re-roofs and tear-offs.
Re-roofing involves building a new roofing system on top of the existing system, while a tear-off involves removing the existing system and then installing a new one. It should be no surprise that tear-offs cost more.
In general, if your roof is at or near the end of its expected lifespan, it makes more sense financially to replace the entire system down to the framing. If your roof is in the middle of its expected lifespan, your chosen roofing company will tell you if the costs of repairs are justified relative to a tear-off or re-roof replacement.
2. The Size of Your Existing Commercial Roofing System
As you probably expect, repairing or replacing a larger roof will cost more than a smaller roof. More materials will be needed, which increases material costs, and more roofers will be needed to handle and install those materials, which increases labor costs.
On that note, the skill of the roofing contractor and his team matters. You only want to work with a commercial roofing company with vast experience handling flat roof replacements. It’s crucial to your finances and the future integrity of your roof to get the job done correctly the first time.
3. Cost of Materials
The materials used during the project will either increase or decrease your flat roof replacement estimate. The primary factors that determine which material is best in a given scenario include:
- Budget
- Climate
- Potential Roof Traffic
The three most common types of material used on commercial flat roofs are ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), metal, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Let’s look at each type.
EPDM
EPDM is a highly durable, synthetic rubberized roofing product. It fluxes to accommodate changing temperatures, is UV-resistant, and can last 25 years or more with proper installation and care. Depending on your unique installation scenario, you can expect to pay $5 to $15 per square foot for an EPDM roofing system.
Metal
Aluminum and other types of metal roofs are ultra-strong and can last for three decades or longer when properly installed and maintained. They’re available in a wide range of colors and are popularly installed on hospitals, malls, and other commercial developments. Pricing ranges between $8 and $20 per square foot.
PVC
PVC roofing systems are well-suited for most commercial buildings. PVC is UV-resistant, withstands exposure to most chemicals, remains flexible over time, and lasts up to 20 years or more. PVC is also fire-retardant, available in many colors, and is one of the most economical choices as its price ranges between $4 and $12 per square foot.
4. Warranties
Lastly, it’s crucial for you to purchase warranty coverage whenever you have a roof replaced. It’s also important that you fully understand all the associated stipulations, conditions, and other parameters before signing any contract or purchasing materials. Additionally, some contractors and manufacturers offer extended warranty coverage, which is always a smart option to take advantage of.
While some warranties will be included with the purchase of the roofing system, extended coverage will result in a higher flat roof replacement cost estimate.
Request a Flat Roof Replacement Estimate Today
Many factors that can influence the cost of a flat roof replacement. If you want a more accurate cost estimate for your project, contact our team at Summit Commercial Roofing to schedule an inspection. We’ve provided timely commercial flat roofing services to small businesses across Southeast Michigan for over 50 years, including re-roofs and tear-offs for metal, EPDM, and PVC roofing systems.
