Making the Right Call on Replacement
Replacing a commercial roof is one of the biggest maintenance expenses a building has, so we don't recommend it lightly. Before we talk about replacement, we confirm it's really needed: we core-cut the roof, check how much of the insulation is wet, and look at the deck. If a repair or coating can get you more years for less money, we'll tell you.
When replacement is the right answer, our job is to help you get the most roof for the money and to make the project as painless as possible for the people inside the building.
Replacement Options
Full tear-off
The existing roof comes off down to the deck. Damaged decking gets replaced, new insulation goes in to meet current energy code, and a new roof system is installed. Tear-off is required when the building already has two roofs or when the existing roof is wet.
Recover
If the building has one roof and it's mostly dry, a new roof can often be installed over it with a cover board. That avoids most of the removal and disposal cost and shortens the schedule.
Choosing the system
We install TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and metal roofs. The right one depends on your building: how much rooftop equipment and foot traffic it has, how much it spends on cooling, how it drains, and how long you plan to own it. We'll explain the tradeoffs in plain language.
Planning Around Your Building
- Phased work so only part of the roof is open at a time
- Watertight every night, with weather watched closely
- Scheduling around tenants, services, school calendars, and business hours
- Protected entrances and parking with clear communication to occupants
- Rooftop units coordinated with your HVAC contractor when curbs need to be raised or reflashed
For property managers and boards: We provide written proposals with clear scope, photos, and options that are easy to share with owners, boards, or committees. Certificates of insurance are available on request.
Thinking Ahead
The best time to plan a replacement is before it's an emergency. If your roof is getting older, a free assessment gives you a realistic idea of how many years it has left, so you can budget for it instead of being surprised by it. Ask us about manufacturer warranty options on new roof systems.
Roof Replacement Questions
How do I know my commercial roof needs to be replaced?
Common signs are leaks in many areas, wet insulation across large sections of the roof, a membrane that's shrinking or detached, and repairs that keep failing. A moisture survey and core cuts show how much of the roof is wet, which is often the deciding factor.
What's the difference between a tear-off and a recover?
A tear-off removes the existing roof down to the deck. A recover installs a new roof over the existing one, which saves removal and disposal cost. Code generally limits buildings to two roofs, and wet materials must come out, so not every roof can be recovered.
Can my business stay open during a roof replacement?
Usually, yes. We plan the work in sections, keep the building watertight at the end of each day, and schedule the noisiest work around your hours when possible.
How long does a commercial roof replacement take?
It depends on the size of the roof, the system, and the weather. Smaller buildings may take days; large warehouses can take a few weeks. You'll get a schedule up front and updates as the work progresses.