Spending smartly on commercial roofing in 2025

When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, saving money can be one of the hardest to keep. This year, try reframing the mindset from not spending to spending smarter. When a roof gets a leak, it MUST be fixed. But there are things to watch for so that you’re getting the best value and not being taken advantage of.

Here are a few red flags to watch for when it comes to roofing estimates and invoices.

• Labor. Contractors often provide an hourly rate for labor. It’s important to ask the question “how many laborers will be on-site?” because while a low hourly rate is good in theory, it can quickly escalate when multiple technicians are on-site. Most roof repairs generally only require one technician.
• Mileage. What is the mileage cap for technicians traveling to your site? Are you charged by mile or by travel time? Does the contractor have GPS tracking in vehicles for efficiency and transparency?
• Materials. What materials are being used? Is it from a reputable supplier? This is important because of potential warranty claims. If something malfunctions on the roof, it can lead to battles between the installer and manufacturer over who’s to blame (i.e. who needs to fix it).
• Sub-contractors. It’s important to know if a sub-contractor is being used to provide labor. This plays a role in quality and like materials, it can affect warranty claim response if there’s an issue after the work is completed. In addition, there could be safety or legal complications.

Smart Spending on Your Commercial Roof

Your roof is one of the largest and most costly assets of your building. Choosing a roofing provider you can trust and rely upon will save you frustration and improve your bottom line. Talk to your roofer about repair and restoration options before jumping to a replacement. If they’re not willing to discuss those options, it’s time to look for a second opinion.

Another way to spend your budget smartly is to invest in a preventive maintenance/housekeeping program for your roof. This helps to detect small problems before they become big (expensive) ones and can actually prevent roof leaks from happening in the first place.

Finally, monitor your call-backs or return visits. If a roof continues to leak and the provider continues to charge you for visits, that initial low price can compound to a much higher-end price.