If you have a new commercial building or are looking at replacing your flat or low-sloped roof, you may be curious as to the cost of the job. Here in the GTA, prices vary from one company to another so it is important to get at least three estimates before proceeding with hiring a contractor.
One thing you do not want to do is pick the contractor with the lowest price just to save money. You will want to compare your quotes and look at the type of materials being used. Also note what, if any, repairs are required, and, most importantly, the length of the warranty. No two quotes will be the same so do your homework before settling on a contractor.
Factors That Affect Price
The biggest factor that affects pricing on a flat or low-sloped roof is supply and demand. Areas that have very few flat roofs may require a contractor to travel from out of town, thus increasing your job cost. But let us assume you are in an area like the GTA that has a large demand and a steady supply of flat roofing contractors. What factors affect the price of your particular job?
Job size is something that has a great impact on price. A small job, such as a low-sloped roof on a portion of a house, will have a higher price per square foot than a larger building, such as a commercial structure or large, flat-roofed house. It costs the contractor a lot of money to setup at a job location so this is factored into the total cost.
Just as important as job size, the type of material being used has a tremendous effect on job cost. There are many types of flat roofing materials available. Some, like EPDM, have a longer life than some of the other materials available so, although the cost is higher, you save by not having to replace the roof as frequently. The size of the roof also comes into play here when it comes to the type of material being used. Larger roofs mean the contractor can sometimes get discounted prices on materials and this may be passed onto the consumer.
A big factor when it comes to roof installation is the height of the roof. A qualified contractor will be licensed by the province with which they work, be insured for property damage and liability, and have adequate WSIB insurance for each of their employees. The cost of this coverage is determined by the height at which the workers will be installing your roof. A high-rise roof top is much more dangerous to be working on than a single story home so be ready to pay a premium for having a tall building as additional safety measures must be followed by the contractor.
Conclusion
You cannot get a price of replacing your roof from the internet. If you did, I would greatly question the qualifications of where you received it. A properly priced roof installation or replacement requires a qualified contractor, like we have here in the GTA, to come to your location and visually inspect the roof before making a professional decision on price. Do not rely on what others paid that you know. Get an expert opinion and know what is and is not included in that price before making your decision.