A commercial roof is a big investment, and you want to be sure you’re getting the best value out of it. Luckily, there are ways you can save a lot of money without cutting any corners on quality.
Check out this helpful guide to save money on your commercial roof, not only on the installation but also throughout the life of the roof itself.
Use Good Materials and Install ers
It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in higher quality roofing materials and proper installation will save money over the long term. Commercial roofing should last between 20 and 45 years, depending on the type of material.
Poor installation and low-quality materials will shorten the lifespan of your roof.
Read that again…Poor installation and low-quality materials will shorten the lifespan of your roof! Cutting corners at the onset will result in either having to replace your roofing system sooner or continually performing roof maintenance repairs (which will also cost you more than if you had paid for a quality product in the first place).
Energy Cost
Utilizing energy-efficient roofing products will save you money on utility bills. Not only that, but you may also be able to extend the life cycle of your roof with these products.
For instance, metal roofing systems are an excellent commercial roof option that not only have great insulation and cooling abilities for your building, but also offer reflective properties that help bounce heat from the sun off of the roof. With the right commercial roofing system, your building can benefit from both lowered energy costs and a great, long-lasting system.
Re-Cover Roofing Instead of Replac ing
You may be able to install the new roof over an existing roof system. Re-covering saves money as compared to a full roof replacement because the contractor doesn’t have to remove and dispose of the old roofing material. (Basically, you save money on materials and labor.)
Covering an existing roof can also improve energy efficiency. Installation usually includes a thin section of material to separate the new roof membrane from the old one and this material acts like a layer of insulation for your building.
Find A Trusted Roofing Contractor
When you’re choosing a roofing contractor, it’s always a good practice to shop around to see who is offering the best options for your business’ needs.
If you have more than one location that needs roofing, you may be able to get a discount by signing an agreement for a specific contractor to do them all.
Planning your project for the off-season may also save you money on your commercial roofing. Summer and early fall are usually the busiest times of the year for roofing contractors, so having the flexibility to schedule your project for winter or early spring can help.
Cooperative Purchasing
Certain organizations and government entities can save time and money by using cooperative purchasing for their roof system builds or replacement.
Participation is open to:
- Federal, state, county, and city government agencies
- Public and private education institutions
- Nonprofits
Types of Cooperative Purchasing Agreements
Two main types of cooperative purchasing agreements are available.
- Joint Solicitation
In a joint solicitation, two or more agencies combine their needs for products and services into a single request for competitive bids.
- Piggyback Cooperatives
In piggyback cooperatives, a large purchaser requests bids, enters into a contract and arranges for other organizations to purchase from the vendor under the same conditions as the original contract.
Benefits of Cooperative Purchasing
Joint solicitation and piggyback contracts benefit the participants by saving money and time.
- Save Money
Combining the needs of more than one agency together creates a higher-volume contract. Purchasing in large quantities results in more competitive pricing.
The savings can be significant. For example, K-12 public education institutions in Texas saved over $63 million in the fiscal year 2019 by using cooperative purchasing.
- Save Time
A cooperative contract reduces administrative time and expenses, because an individual organization doesn’t need to manage its own competitive bidding process. (The time to prepare and solicit a bid, receive and evaluate proposals and negotiate a contract can take anywhere from 4 to 24 months.)
Cooperative purchasing allows you to rely on the work another agency has already done for the competitive bidding process. The cooperative contract meets legal and policy requirements for competitive bidding while saving you from having to negotiate the process yourself.
Streamlining the bidding process will get your roofing project moving faster. This is especially important if your roof needs urgent repairs or replacement.
Finding A Local Commercial Roofing Company
Finding local roofers can sometimes be challenging with cooperative purchasing. The contracts are often negotiated nationally.
In the Youngstown, OH area, TEMA Roofing Services is the only commercial roofing company that contracts with The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) and OMNIA Partners. These cooperative purchasing organizations offer access to competitively solicited contracts. TEMA Roofing was also recently added as a corporate affiliate for The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). The AICUP’s partnership serves the interests of private higher education institutions throughout Pennsylvania.
With cooperative purchasing, the roof installation (or repair) process is streamlined, so the timeline for projects moves more quickly. Using a local commercial roofing company with a strong reputation means that clients get competitive pricing for the job and can build a long-term relationship for the maintenance of their roof.
Save Money
Commercial roof repair or installation is a major expense. Make sure you’re getting the best value for your investment.
Start by looking for a local commercial roofing company that will be your partner—for current projects and future needs. A contractor with a strong reputation will work with you to conduct a proper roof inspection, find quality materials, guarantee the installation, and give you competitive pricing.
For government agencies and nonprofits, don’t forget that a roofing company that partners with cooperative purchasing organizations can save you money and time.
When you’re ready to start your next roofing project, contact TEMA Roofing, and experience the difference.
