As a business owner, it can be incredibly disruptive when issues arise with your property. Whether there’s a roof leak, clogged pipes, or a faulty furnace, you need to promptly address problems so your business can keep running.
Whether you’re trying to get ahead of any roof damage or you have an active leak, you’ll need to schedule a commercial roof inspection. Like any good business owner, you don’t want to waste your time, so reference this guide so that you know what to expect.
What Gets Covered in a Commercial Roof Inspection?
Before you call a roofing contractor to inspect your roof, take some time to ensure they’re associated with a reputable company. Avoid hiring a “Chuck in a truck” or always going with the cheapest bid.
Instead, ask for referrals from other building owners in your area, read online reviews, and note how reliable a roofing company’s communication is. Then, use your best judgment to move forward.
Once a professional commercial roofing contractor arrives at your property, they’ll perform a detailed inspection. They’ll start by walking your roof’s perimeter and ultimately make their way to the center. Flat roof edges are known for having a higher probability of causing a leak than the center because the edges can get lifted by strong winds.
During this walkthrough, your roofing contractor will look for signs of damage, including:
- Ponding water
- Blistering
- Cracks
- Lifted seams
- Missing nails
- Missing or damaged shingles (on asphalt shingle commercial roofs)
- Holes in the material
Most commercial flat roofs have a lifespan of 15-20 years. If your roof is older, it’ll likely show more signs of wear and damage.
What Your Inspection Report Will Entail 🔎
After your roofing contractor completes the visual inspection, they’ll write a report that outlines their findings. Depending on the condition of your roof, the contractor may suggest:
- Repairs
- Replacement
- Rejuvenation
- Or nothing at all!
Repairs – Your contractor may suggest roof repairs if they found a leak or some lifted substrate. Repairs are best for roofs with minimal damage. It’s far more cost-effective to get roof repairs and prolong the life of your roof.
Replacement – If more than 25% of your roof is damaged or the material has simply reached the end of its lifespan, your roofing contractor will suggest a complete tear-off and replacement. It’s also possible that your roofing contractor found that the roof decking underneath the outer layer was rotten. This constitutes an immediate replacement.
Rejuvenation – Roof rejuvenations are gaining popularity. This is an option if your commercial roof has some damage and only has 2-3 years left on its lifespan. You can get a commercial roof coating to help your roof last for a couple of years so you can save up for a replacement. If you avoid getting a roof rejuvenation, you’ll need to get a total replacement soon.
Nothing At All – An honest and reliable commercial roof contractor will never push an unnecessary sale. If you scheduled an inspection after a storm or just to check on the condition of your roof, it’s possible that everything is in working order! If your contractor doesn’t find any issues, they’ll let you know that you’re in the clear.
Your roofing contractor should include photos of any damage with a clear written description. They should also include a detailed quote that outlines how much the recommended roofing service would cost.
Feel free to collect two or three quotes from different contractors. Just keep in mind that if a company offers a significantly lower quote than the others, the quality of their work may not be as reliable.
How Much Does a Commercial Roof Inspection Cost? 💸
If you’re wondering how much commercial roof inspections cost, you’re in for your favorite answer: it depends.
The good news is that many professional roofing companies offer free inspections and estimates! However, each company is allowed to set its own prices.
Some contractors may only offer free inspections if you’re interested in a total replacement. Others may charge around $200-$300 regardless to cover their time and expertise.
How Long Will the Inspection Take? ⏰
For an average 20,000-square-foot commercial property, a detailed roof inspection will take roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour. It may take longer if:
- Your building is bigger
- There are many roof penetrations (each one needs to be inspected)
- There is a significant amount of damage
Keep in mind that if the contractor is in and out within 15 minutes, you probably want to take your business elsewhere.
How Often Should You Schedule Commercial Roofing Inspections? 🗓️
It’s important to have your roof inspected frequently to ensure you can catch issues before they get worse. However, this doesn’t mean you need someone to inspect your roof every month. A good rule of thumb is to schedule a commercial inspection:
- Once a year, when your roof has reached 8 years of age
- After hail, gusty winds, or other major storm events
- There’s an active leak or pooling water
- You want to sell your property
Leave Your Commercial Roofing in Trusted Hands
A detailed and prompt roofing inspection can make all the difference when you’re a busy business owner. If you own a property in Ohio, you can’t go wrong with trusting Gouge Quality Roofing. Our industry-leading team works fast and puts quality first, ensuring minimal interruptions.
Whether you need repairs or a total replacement, you’ll feel confident hiring the most-referred roofing company around. Reach out today to schedule your free inspection!
