Setting a budget for your commercial roof replacement project isn’t always easy. As with any kind of construction project, you never quite know what will pop up once the work begins. However, it’s essential to get an accurate quote and understand what to expect to pay by the end of the process to keep everything manageable.
Knowing what can affect the cost of any commercial roofing project will help you prepare for the process and avoid unexpected surprises on the final bill. Many commercial roof replacement costs can’t be eliminated or avoided entirely, but you can limit how much they impact the bottom line with careful planning and preparations, not to mention working with an experienced team like Delta Innovative Services.
Necessary Repairs
Waiting too long to add a new roof to your commercial building risks damage to the rest of the structure. If rot, rust, or corrosion has spread from ongoing roof leaks, you’ll need truss and wall repairs before adding more weight with a new roof assembly.
Depending on the type of commercial roofing you’ve been relying on in the past, your roof may also need a whole new drainage system installed if you’re switching to a different material or design. Only a complete inspection of the existing roof and its condition will reveal what kind of repairs might be needed before the reroofing project can be completed or even started for that matter.
Accurate Assessments
Speaking of assessments, it may take multiple targeted inspections to get a full picture of your commercial roof’s condition. The roof may seem intact and relatively stable at first glance, but a thermal inspection or dye-based testing may reveal extensive leaks that have gone on for years. Trying to rush into a commercial roof replacement project without fully assessing the existing roof and its level of damage only makes it harder to accurately budget for the final cost.
Upgrades to Existing Insulation
A re-roofing project is the perfect time to commit to making other related upgrades, such as thicker insulation to prevent heat transfer through the roof. Depending on the type of commercial facility you own or operate, you may enjoy long-term savings on heating, cooling, and refrigeration that pay back the cost of insulation within just a few years. However, insulation upgrades will make a big difference to the total cost of the project. You may also need to upgrade to meet changing state codes and regulations regarding energy efficiency.
Permits and Related Details for Commercial Roof Replacement
Since permits and their related inspections are rarely handled by the commercial property owner, they’re all too often overlooked. Even if your roofing company will handle the actual work of securing the permits and closing them out with the relevant office, you’ll still have to pay for all the related fees as part of the project’s total cost. Discussing the local requirements for the Kansas City area with an experienced roofing company is the best way to determine what to expect to spend in this category.
While surprise costs can always pop up, local roofing experts will give you a good idea of what to expect and ensure you don’t spend more on fees accumulated due to a lack of necessary permits. Watch out for any roofing company that claims to be able to save you money by avoiding inspections or permits because you run the risk of spending a lot more to rectify these issues later.
Roofing Materials
The type of material you choose largely determines the cost of the commercial roof replacement project. Yet you don’t want to shorten the lifespan of the assembly by choosing a cheaper material that will only last a few years before needing replacement. You’ll need to balance out the upfront installation costs versus savings on repairs and a longer lifespan that puts off the cost of replacement.
Each commercial structure tends to work best with one or two specific materials, but we can guide you to the most affordable option based on the slope, drainage systems, and other details of your structure.
Structural Changes
Most commercial roof replacement costs assume that you’re replacing the existing system with similar materials and installation details.
If you’re upgrading to an entirely different type of roofing material, need to add deck support for routine access without damage, or want to improve the insulation for lower energy costs, you may need bigger structural changes to handle the weight. For example, switching from a multi-layered membrane roofing system to one that relies on six inches of rock ballast generally requires roof structure reinforcements. These kinds of considerations often account for the biggest increases in project cost.
Weather Delays and Other Interruptions
One of the hardest parts of the budget to control is the cost of weather delays and damage. It’s simply impossible to predict when a storm will roll through the Kansas City area, especially during the warmer parts of the year when it’s easier to install commercial roofing materials. Minimizing extra costs for structural repairs and damage missed by first-round inspections leaves you with the flexibility to cover unavoidable expenses like these.
Building in a Buffer for the Budget
Most commercial roofing companies would recommend adding about 10% to 20% to your most generous budget estimation as a buffer for the project. This ensures that changes in material costs, labor shortages, weather issues, and unexpected discoveries of damage won’t derail your project or lead to financial concerns. You may want to bump that buffer up to 25% if you’re working on a commercial roof with extensive square footage or an unusual design.
Plan Your Project with Delta Innovative Services
If you’re ready to plan your commercial roof replacement project in the Kansas City area and beyond, turn to us here at Delta Innovative Services. We can help you identify concerns and considerations unique to your project that might affect your final cost. Working with a team of experienced commercial roofing experts will ensure you get the best possible price without cutting corners or sacrificing quality.