The Differences Between Commercial and Residential Roofing

As it requires minimal specialized equipment and has a low cost of entry, many roofing contractors start off with mainly residential roofing. However, you may start to consider expanding your business and installing commercial roofing as it provides steady work for your team. If you’re interested in doing so, there are a few things to keep in mind for aspiring commercial roofing contractors.

Crew Size and Experience

A crew for residential roofing can be between four to six people. Typically, they can tackle reroofing for a home in one day. On the other hand, more hands are required when you hire commercial roofing contractors. A commercial roofing project can take anywhere from a number of days to months.

Always check that your crew, whether residential or commercial, has proper training and certification so that you can offer warranties and guarantees to your clients.

Use Special Equipment

Simple shingles can be installed with a nail gun, but commercial roofing installations may require special heavy-duty equipment. Commercial roofing contractors should invest in materials such as hot air welding equipment to weld seams, as well as handheld welders for flashing details.

Review Safety Measures

Safety first! This is a common but extremely important rule of thumb in any situation, especially when handling roofing. The safety requirements on commercial roofing sites can be different than that of residential roofing projects.

Creating a comprehensive safety plan for each commercial roofing site is pivotal. Ensure that it includes the locations of roof access points, safety perimeter lines, and potential hazards such as skylights. Also, evaluate whether special fall equipment such as parapet clamps or heavy-weight anchors are required.

Consider Your Finances

Residential roofing projects typically take a shorter amount of time when it comes to installation and payment. However, commercial roofing projects require much more planning as they can take up to months to install and months to get paid post-installation. You’ll find that larger companies tend to pay on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day pay system and oftentimes work in retainage into the contract. It’s recommended that you educate yourself or seek professional advice on this aspect of finances to ensure a smooth process.

As commercial roofing projects can take a long time, finding a good salesperson for your company who can handle your finances will allow you to work closely with your team to establish a decent bid.

Hire Commercial Roofing Contractors from Our Team Today

 Advanced Roofing Solutions LLC can tackle any project, whether commercial or residential. Reach out to us today for more information on how you can get a free estimate on a roofing project.