Buying a commercial roof is a big decision and there are a lot of costs to consider. Each little aspect of your building, including the roof, will have an adverse effect on business. While you may be concerned about the cost of buying a commercial roof, it’s highly recommended that you spend a little extra and do it right the first time to avoid frequent repair costs down the road.
Installation Cost and Cost of Ownership
The initial cost of a commercial roof installation is just the beginning. Choosing a cheaper roof to start with will only increase your costs over time. Poor insulation will raise heating and cooling bills, and bad workmanship or low-quality products will lead to many commercial roof repair services. A properly designed and installed roof system will save you money in the long run.
Insulation and Its Effect on Heating and Cooling Costs
Insulation is the most expensive component of a new commercial roof system. Increasing the amount of insulation during the roof installation will also increase the cost of the project. However, the quality and value have the potential to save you money on energy bills down the road. Since most high-quality, well-maintained roofs last for 20-30 years, this could mean huge savings in the long run. Building codes will usually dictate how much insulation is a good fit for your building in order to maintain energy efficiency.
Too much insulation may be unnecessary, while too little could lead to more money spent on heating and cooling costs. Oftentimes, layering approaches are found to be effective. For example, using a layer of sheet metal on the outside and an insulation below that are common.
Warranties
Most installation projects come with a warranty from the roofing material manufacturer or the contractor. Most warranties are in place to minimize the manufacturer’s liability and are used as marketing material more than a safeguard for the building owner. Some warranties require annual roof inspections from a contractor, at the expense of the owner, to maintain the warranty’s effectiveness. Even though warranties are a cost to consider, they shouldn’t be a huge deciding factor. When it comes to roof installation; proper design, great workmanship from roofing experts, and high-quality materials are what makes a roof withstand the test of time.
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Upgrades
Most projects will uncover some sort of deficient MEP roof penetration. During the roof replacement process, you have the opportunity to replace deficient MEP equipment and create a fully functioning roof system. This means all problem roof penetrations are taken care of to avoid roof leaks.
Building Repairs/Current Roof Problems
Similar to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing repairs, many building repairs are discovered during the process of demolishing and installing a new roof. Commercial roof replacements are often completed on older buildings that have experienced leaking and have damage. The required repairs and price rates will be discussed with the building owner prior to installation starting. Common building repairs or problems you might encounter include:
- Metal deck replacement
- Modification of a roof structure (door, window, skylight)
- Leak repair (around gutters, close to vents and pipes, etc.)
- Snow and ice damage
Building repairs typically make up 5% to 20% of the base contract.
Rainville Carlson is a leading union commercial roofing contractor in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are proud to provide a range of commercial roofing services including installation, roof maintenance, and repair. As a professional roofing company, we give your company peace of mind during the installation process and guarantee quality for years to come. Contact Rainville Carlson today to start the process of buying your new commercial roof.
