Why Is a Commercial Roof So Expensive?

As a roofing company, we know: A commercial roofing system is not cheap. But there are several important elements factored into the total cost of a high-quality commercial roofing system installed by trained experts. When you add them up, the cost begins to make sense.

Materials

High-quality materials cost more initially, but they last longer and should require less repair over time. A reputable roofing contractor will use the best materials available in the installation of your commercial roofing system. Cutting corners costs more in the long run.

In general, the overall cost of materials has increased, and this has only been compounded by trucking issues which make it more difficult to get the needed materials on job sites. In addition, recent government-imposed tariffs have begun to impact the cost of sheet metal and other roofing products. These costs all get passed on to the consumer.

One material in particular has seen a significant cost increase in recent years. A 2015 code change raised the requirement for roof insulation LTTR-value, which measures the roof’s ability to retain the internal temperature of a building and keep external temperatures at bay over a specific period of time. The higher the required LTTR-value, the more insulation required for a roof to remain code-compliant. When the minimum LTTR-value was raised with the 2015 code change, the amount of required insulation increased, resulting in additional costs for the building owner. Projects that once started at $5 or $6 per foot increased to $8 to $10 per foot, if not more. In some cases, the increase in insulation and the resulting additional inches to the roof surface require changes to an existing rooftop as well: contractors sometimes need to raise the roof perimeter with blocking or raise mechanical units, particularly on older buildings. These efforts, of course, add further cost.

Equipment

Turning all those materials into a functional roofing system requires quite a bit of expensive equipment. A typical commercial roofing installation project might require the use of $500,000 worth of equipment, all of which must be moved from site to site. Roofing equipment sees quite a bit of wear and tear, and so it must be maintained, repaired, and replaced. Roofers must also receive the proper training in how to operate the equipment, which adds further cost—all of which become part of  a contractor’s overhead.

Labor

A commercial roofing project requires quite a bit of labor by a team of skilled roofers, all of whom must be compensated for their time. Those who work for a high-quality roofing company also receive safety and skills-based training throughout the year. The costs do add up, but a skilled and safety-minded team ultimately costs less than an untrained, careless team when you factor in the expense of mistakes and improper technique.

Insurance

A reputable roofing company will be insured, so they will be more expensive. That’s a price worth paying.

Roofers work at significant heights, which puts them at great risk on a daily basis. Some projects add additional risk, depending upon the location of the building and the nature of the jobsite. Insurance for roofers is very expensive, but it is necessary because it protects both the people working on the roof and the customer. If the company you hire does not carry insurance, you could be liable for any accidents that occur on your property. A contractor with minimal insurance on a commercial roofing job can get into trouble pretty quickly. In fact, some clients require roofing contractors to carry large insurance umbrellas—this helps them identify the more professional operations.

An Economical Approach

A fair and reputable roofing contractor will always keep costs—and the customer—in mind. He or she will:

– Do quite a bit of long-range planning to ensure that the materials needed for each project are on site and on time

– Budget for equipment maintenance and upgrades each year

– Try to manage insurance costs while maintaining the best protection possible

– Put the right people on the right job for optimal crew performance

– Get creative with project schedules by evaluating a roof, making recommendations, and possibly providing customers with two- or five- or ten-year plans to minimize immediate costs for manageable budgeting

Commercial roofs are expensive. But a good professional roofing contractor will make your roof—and your experience—worth every penny.

A Wise Investment

A commercial roof is a major investment. Expert installation and careful maintenance are key to protecting that investment over time. Ridgeworth Roofing is committed to helping clients get the most out of every dollar they spend, working on a project plan that fits their budget and getting the job done right the first time, every time. Make a wise roofing investment. Call Ridgeworth Roofing today.