The cost of commercial roofing systems relies upon various factors. A roofer will consider your location, environment, type of roofing system, job complexity, material and labor cost, and municipal guidelines to calculate the roofing installation cost.
The roofing installation prices have gone up amid the pandemic due to material sourcing constraints and lengthy shipping times. If you are planning a roof replacement and installation, begin as early as possible to preserve more time in hand for material delivery and to average out the price fluctuations.
If you want to know how much a commercial flat roof costs in the West Texas area, take a look at roofing services in Lubbock.
Here we are going to talk about the cost of commercial flat roofs.
Commercial flat roofs are much bigger than residential roofs. They are of an average size of 10,000 square feet. Depending on the material, you can expect to pay the installation charges between $4 to $9 per square foot.
Material cost
Built-Up tar (BUR)- BUR roofs are made of alternate layers of tar, fiberglass, and gravel. They will cost you between $4 to $10 per square foot.
Modified Bitumen (Mod Bit)– Mod Bit is made of waterproof asphalt sheets that are sealed to the roof using heat. These roofs will cost you $4 to $8 per square foot.
Thermoset EPDM membrane- They are synthetic rubber roofing membranes that are long-lasting and offer strong protection against sunlight and pollution.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) membrane– TPO roofs have air-welded beams that protect against fire, high-speed wind, and high temperatures.
Expect to pay $4 to $13 per square foot for EPDM and TPO roofs.
Metal- Metal can be the most expensive flat roofing material. However, it’s well worth the investment because of its durability and longevity. Depending on the type of metal roofing installed, the cost can range from $5 to $14 per square foot.
Asphalt Shingle- Asphalt shingles don’t have a great life span in comparison to other materials, but they are popular because of their aesthetic appeal. An asphalt roof can cost you $5 to $6 per square foot.
Installation cost
Professional roofing contractors charge between $4 to $8 per square foot to remove the old roof and install the new one. You may have to pay $1 to $2 per square foot extra for additional layers.
You may get tempted to save those dollars on installation and prepare to DIY, but commercial roofing installation isn’t an easy task. Experts don’t recommend you do it yourself if you don’t have the skills and experience in installing commercial roofs. A professional roofing contractor can remove the old roofing system without damaging it and install the new one, in line with the area building code. Experienced roofers can make this process quick and smooth and ensure that the roof doesn’t leak.
Make sure that you hire a licensed contractor and don’t fall for the storm chasers.
Maintenance cost
If you invest in the maintenance of your roof, you can save a lot on its replacement. It is critical to seal the roof surface to avoid waterlogging and leakages in the future. If that is done right, you can just inspect the flashing from time to time and check for damage. You might have to spend $400 to $1800 for sealing the roof surface, but it is worth the investment. Stick to a cleaning routine for your roof to remove leaves, dirt, and other debris. They can pile up to lock in water resulting in leaks.
Repair cost
The cost of minor roof repairs can fall between $300 to $600. Storm damage repair and any other major overhaul can cost you around $1000. You can save on frequent repairs by keeping a close eye on your roof’s health. Inspect it regularly to identify any tear, holes, and leakages. A prompt response to these issues can avoid them turning into bigger problems.
Insulation cost
Insulation plays a significant role in guaranteeing that your roofing membrane offers long-lasting protection against various elements. High-quality insulation can cost around $1.25 per square foot, and that can make your roofing cost go high up. Nevertheless, it is ideal to use good quality insulation to avoid further problems later on.
How to calculate the commercial flat roof replacement cost?
You can calculate it yourself to understand the fundamentals of overall charges. However, professional roofers have a cost calculator where they punch in the following details to provide you with a quick roof replacement quote. You can further negotiate with them on these parameters.
- Measure your roof from end to end.
- Enter the number of hatches, chimneys, and skylights—these penetrations require additional flashing work. If you don’t include them in the calculation, you will end up paying much more than your estimates.
- Calculate the length of parapet walls and metal caps. Don’t neglect the parapet and metal caps as they can add significant roof surface and additional work.
- Select the thickness of the insulation, the roof pitch, and the tear-off layers.
- Select the roofing material. Select the material you want based on the roofing structure and protection required and compare the prices given above.
- Select the building code. The roofing installation cost can differ as per the building codes.
- Select job complexity. You may not consider it for yourself, but your roofer will see how easy or difficult it is for them to execute the roof installation. Based on the complexity of the job and the extra labor required, your contractor would possibly charge extra.
It can be overwhelming to read about all these materials and their costs. You might not be able to pick the best roofing system for your building. Therefore, we recommend consulting a professional roofing company that will guide you through the process from inspection to installation.
Get in touch with a quality roofing contractor as early as possible to give yourself enough time to evaluate each roofing material and its cost.
