A roofing job on a commercial building can represent a significant investment, but since few flat roofs will last more than 20 or 30 years, it is an expense that most commercial property owners will face eventually. Although the average cost for a typical flat roof on a commercial building is approximately $30,000, there are numerous factors that could drive that price up or down substantially. Here are some of the considerations that influence the Cost of a Commercial Roofing Job.
Cost of a Commercial Roofing Job – The Types
Type of Existing Commercial Roof
The existing roofing materials will need to be removed before the new roof can be applied. Some roofing materials are more difficult to remove and require additional labor. For example, built-up roofs and modified bitumen roofs usually have multiple layers of substrates that are hard to remove. Rubber, vinyl and thermoplastic polyolefin roofs are single layers that are less labor-intensive to remove.
Type of New Roof
A roofing contractor will typically give you an option on the types of roofing materials available for flat roofs. For longevity, strength and reflectivity, vinyl and thermoplastic polyolefin are the best options, but rubber is slightly less expensive and has excellent performance. The least expensive options are typically built-up roofing and modified bitumen. The type of roofing material you choose for your new roof can affect the overall costs, but it is important to remember that not every type of material is ideal for every roof.
Additional Work
When replacing a commercial flat roof, it is common to find structural issues that must be repaired. Drainage issues may be present, or the addition of structures that were added to the roof after its installation may necessitate upgrades to the underneath roof structure.
Other Issues Affecting Cost
The total square footage is a major consideration in determining the cost of a new flat roof. Although the cost per square foot decreases on larger roofs, the total cost will increase as additional labor and materials will be needed.
The distance between the contractor’s location and your site can also affect the total cost. The contractor must bear the costs of moving equipment, materials and workers to the site, so he must base his mobilization costs on the distance between his location and your building. If your building is in a location that is difficult to access, the cost may increase as well.
The number of structures protruding from the roof can affect the cost of the job. Every protruding object will require additional trimming and sealing, increasing the cost.
There are also several miscellaneous factors that can influence the cost of a commercial roof. For example, if the work requires special permits, the contractor will pass these costs to the customer. If the work must be done during times of bad weather, the cost of the job may increase.
Sample Costs
Although prices vary, the following information should give you some insight as to how the costs will break down.
• Removal of the existing roof: $2 to $4 per square foot
• Installation of a modified bitumen or built-up roof: $3 to $7 per square foot
• Installation of a vinyl, rubber or thermoplastic polyolefin roof: $5 to $10 per square foot
The numbers provided are “ballpark” on the Cost of a Commercial Roofing Job and estimates that do not reflect additional costs such as structural repairs. If you need to replace the flat roof on your commercial building, you should ask several contractors to provide you with recommendations and estimates. Keep in mind, however, that the lowest price is not always your best option; you should also consider each contractor’s experience, reputation and the quality of his references.
Alpha Roofing Industries is a residential and commercial roofing company. We have established an exceptional reputation based on the quality of our work, our professionalism and our outstanding customer service. We have the experience to select and install a commercial roof that will give your building years of protection. We are an award-winning company serving customers in most areas of Austin and Central Texas. Alpha Roofing provides installation of flat roofs, metal roofing systems, asphalt shingles, flashing, skylights and siding. We also offer a variety of repair services. If you have a need for Austin commercial roofing and would like a free estimate, you can call us at (512) 777-1086 or complete the convenient online form.