Repair, coating and full replacement for flat and metal roofs on warehouses, offices, retail centers and flex buildings. Call and your inspection is set up the same day.
✓Hurricane wind reaches RaleighHurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. When Hurricane Fran came through in 1996, Wake County alone reported over $900 million in damage to homes and businesses. Wind lifts roof edges and flashing first.weather.gov
✓Spring hail in Wake CountyThe North Carolina State Climate Office reported hail up to 2.5 inches across in Wake County in May 2016. Hail can bruise a flat roof without damage you can see from the ground.climate.ncsu.edu
✓Summer heat on the roofNormal July highs at Raleigh-Durham sit near 91 degrees. A roof in full sun gets much hotter, and the daily heat and cool cycle works seams and flashing loose.weather.gov
✓State licence at $40,000In North Carolina, a project of $40,000 or more needs a contractor licensed by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Many commercial roofs cross that line.nclbgc.org
✓No new roof over a wet oneNorth Carolina code does not allow a new roof over a water-soaked roof, or over a building that already has two roofs. The old roofing has to come off first.hendersoncountync.gov
What it costs
Typical published ranges for Raleigh. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.
You manage a building. The roof is one more thing on a long list, until it leaks. Then it is the only thing.
Call (984) 464-8602 or send the form. We call you back and book an inspection with a local commercial roofing contractor the same day you reach us. The inspector checks the roof, shows you what they found, and gives you a written estimate. You choose what happens next.
What we fix
Leaks over offices, shop floors and stockrooms. Drips that show up every rain, stained ceiling tiles, wet insulation.
Water that sits on the roof. Ponding water after storms, slow drains, clogged scuppers and gutters.
Seams, flashing and edges. Open seams, loose flashing at walls and curbs, metal edges lifting in the wind.
Storm damage. Wind that peeled up an edge, hail bruises and punctures, debris damage after a hurricane or a summer thunderstorm.
Old roofs near the end. Roofs with many patches, cracked surfaces, soft spots you can feel when you walk.
Rooftop equipment leaks. Water around HVAC units, pipe boots, vents and skylights.
Metal roof problems. Loose or rusted screws, leaking laps and rust.
The roof systems on Triangle buildings
Most commercial buildings in Raleigh have a low-slope roof, the kind most people call a flat roof. They are not truly flat. They slope just enough to move water to drains or edges. The main systems are:
TPO roofing. A white single-ply sheet with heat-welded seams. Very common on newer warehouses and flex buildings. It reflects sun, which helps in our summers.
EPDM roofing. A black rubber sheet. Common on older buildings. It is tough, flexible and easy to patch.
Metal roofing. Standing seam or screw-down panels. Common on warehouses, shops, churches and pre-engineered metal buildings.
Roof coatings. Silicone or acrylic coatings rolled or sprayed over an existing roof that is still dry underneath.
Built-up and modified bitumen roofs. Layered asphalt roofs, often with a gravel or granule surface. Still common on older offices, schools and retail.
If you do not know what your roof is, that is fine. The inspector will tell you.
Repair, coat or replace
This is the big decision. Here is how it usually breaks down.
Repair is the right call when most of the roof is sound. A few bad seams, a leaking drain, a loose edge. Fixing those can buy years. See flat roof repair.
Coating is the right call when the roof surface is worn but the insulation below is still dry. A coating adds a new waterproof layer on top. It costs far less than a new roof and does not require tearing anything off. See roof coatings.
Replacement is the right call when large parts of the insulation are wet, leaks keep coming back in new places, or the roof is past its life.
A good inspector can show you where the roof is wet. Many use an infrared camera or take small core samples. Ask how they checked, and ask for the photos.
What a full replacement includes
When you compare estimates for a new roof, make sure each one covers:
Tear-off of the old roof, or a clear reason why a recover is allowed
Replacing wet insulation and any damaged roof deck
New insulation, and its thickness
The roof system, its thickness, and how it is attached
Flashing at walls, curbs, rooftop units and pipes
Edge metal, gutters and downspouts
Drains and scuppers
Cleanup, safety and how the building stays dry each night
The maker's warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty, in writing
Built for Raleigh weather
The Triangle is hard on roofs in a few specific ways.
Wind. Strong summer thunderstorms bring gusty winds on top of hurricane season. Roofs fail at the edges first, so edge metal and how the roof is attached matter a lot here.
Rain and humidity. Rain falls all year. Wet insulation does not dry out on its own in humid weather. Small leaks keep spreading under the membrane until someone finds them.
About these prices
The price table on this page shows typical installed ranges from published national cost guides by HomeAdvisor, Angi and a metal roofing supplier. It is not a quote. Big roofs usually cost less per square than small ones. Tear-off, wet insulation, tall buildings, hard access and lots of rooftop equipment push the price up.
Who does the work
Raleigh Commercial Roofs is a lead referral service, not a roofing company. We connect you with one independent local commercial roofing contractor. That contractor inspects, estimates and does the work. Your contract is with them.
Ask for the licence number, proof of insurance, and a list of similar buildings they have roofed in the area.
The next step after the roof
A new roof or a big repair is the start, not the end. Roofs last longer when someone checks them twice a year and after big storms. Ask about a roof maintenance program when you get your estimate.
Get your inspection set up today
Call (984) 464-8602 or send the form. Tell us the address and what is going on. We call you back and set up your inspection the same day you reach us. Want to look first? Read the signs your roof needs attention or the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a commercial roof last in Raleigh?
It depends on the system and the care it gets. Published industry ranges are roughly 15 to 30 years for TPO, 20 to 30 years for EPDM, and 30 to 50 years or more for metal. Heat, foot traffic and skipped maintenance shorten those numbers.
How long does a commercial roof replacement take?
A small roof can be done in days. Large roofs, tear-offs with wet insulation, and bad weather take longer. Your estimate should list the schedule and how the building stays dry during the work.
Can a new roof go over the old one?
Sometimes. A new roof can go over an existing roof only if the old roof is not water-soaked and the building does not already have two roofs on it. The inspection checks both.
What is the best commercial roof for Raleigh heat?
There is no single best roof. White roofs like TPO and coated roofs reflect sun and run cooler. EPDM handles foot traffic and patching well. Metal lasts longest on sloped roofs. The right pick depends on your building, budget and how long you plan to own it.
Will the contractor pull the permit?
The contractor should know the local permit rules for Raleigh, Wake County and nearby towns and handle any permit the job needs. Ask about it in writing on the estimate.
Do commercial roofs come with a warranty?
Most new roofs come with two warranties. The maker covers the materials, and the contractor covers the workmanship. Some makers offer longer system warranties when a certified installer does the job. Get every warranty in writing before you sign.
How do I compare two estimates?
Line them up item by item. Check the roof system and thickness, insulation, tear-off or recover, flashing and edge metal, drains, warranty length and who issues it. A low price that leaves out insulation or edge metal is not a lower price.