Does your business need a new flat roof? Whether it is because of old age, property damage, or a storm, the first step you will want to take is to get an estimate. To get your estimate, you will need an onsite inspection.
Aerial views and pictures are great, but to get an accurate estimate, a roofing contractor will need to see your roof in person. Getting familiar with your project will help cast the vision of how operations will go, and the site visit will determine the scope of work if there are not clear specifications to follow.
- How many existing roofs are currently on the building (code says there should be no more than two)
- What types of roofing material are used—is it metal roofing, membrane, or rubber?
- What condition the existing materials are in
- If there are hazardous materials such as asbestos
- If it is a tapered or structural system
- How thick the existing roof system is
- What type of roof deck is in place
How many hours does an onsite inspection last?
Depending on the size of your roof and how many roof sections there are, commercial low-slope inspections can take anywhere from one to five hours. Seldom do these inspections actually last five hours, but some rooftops have multiple sections and they are all unique and have needs that should be addressed individually.
What information should I have on hand to speed up the process?
If available, it is helpful to have the original structural drawing and framing plans. This can help verify dimensions, drainage, and insulation makeup. Do you know how old the roof is? The contractor will want to know this detail if you have it. Also, if you have been having any issues, share those with the roofer.
If you need a flat roof estimate because you have experienced an event such as a natural disaster and you are hoping your insurance will pay for damages, the roofing contractor will need that information. When it comes to insurance companies, insurance agents, and insurance coverage, Hopkins Roofing speaks that language and can help you determine your financial responsibility and coverage options.
After the inspection, how many days until I get my estimate?
The industry standard for receiving a flat roof estimate from a contractor is five to 10 days once the onsite inspection is complete.
Does the size of my roof impact the time it will take to get my estimate?
If your commercial flat roof is broken into many sections, it may take longer to get your estimate—even more so if all the sections are different. Having a larger roof usually means more penetrations, curbs, and other intricate details, which take longer to get an accurate count on.
What are other factors that may influence the time it takes to get an estimate?
Every project is unique and may result in a unique timeline. Here are just a few factors that may influence the timing of getting your estimate:
- Project logistics. Depending on the scope of the job, it can take extra time to determine beforehand which type of lift is needed, if a crane is needed, how many dumpsters are required, etc.
- Complexity of the job. Is it a full tear off or a recover, where the roofer is installing an additional roof covering over an existing roof? Are there specific or custom quotes that are needed, such as special edge metal, tapered insulation systems, removal of hazardous materials, or materials that need to be custom ordered?
- Meeting with production and operations. Getting everyone on the same page is important to ensure everybody is aware and in the know of all details going into a potential project.
- Many simultaneous project bids. Hopkins is always working to get as many flat roof estimates out the door as possible, but we never sacrifice accuracy for speed. Rest assured that when you get your estimate, it will be thorough and precise.
Wondering how long your
commercial roof replacement will take?
What details are included in my flat roof estimate?
Hopkins Roofing delivers its low-slope roofing proposals with a written narrative of the scope of work, along with a total project amount. The cost breakdown covers:
- All labor
- Materials
- Dumpster/disposal fees
- Warranty costs
- Taxes
- Freight
- All other necessary components to complete the job
Certain aspects of the project are unknown until some tear off is complete. For example, if Hopkins is planning on recovering a roof and reusing the existing insulation, we will give a price per square foot to remove additional insulation that can’t be reused. This is nice to have in the estimate because we can’t know for sure the condition of the insulation until it is exposed. On the same note, if Hopkins is doing a full tear off, it is good to have a cost per square foot in the cost breakdown to replace the roof deck if the deck is corroded or compromised.
How do I evaluate an estimate when choosing between multiple contractors?
Getting multiple estimates is a smart move if you have the time. Once you have the estimates, should you just go with the lowest one? Not necessarily. You will want to take into account how thorough the estimates are and how comfortable you feel with their level of expertise.
5 things you should make sure are in your estimate:
- Square footage of your roof
- Line item details of specific work being done
- Type of brand and material being used
- Project timeline (time to complete the roof once it’s started)
- Examples with references of similar types of projects
Get your free no-obligation estimate today
Hopkins Roofing has been in business since 1959 and has completed more than 15 million square feet of roofing. Call our experts today to receive a free flat roof estimate at no obligation. Get the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your business.
