Roof restoration or replacement? 5 things to consider

By Tremco Roofing.

Restoration may save money, extend roof life, prevent loss, and be environmentally friendly.

Use these key reasons to include in your next sales presentation. Ask your prospect,  Is the roof looking worn? Has it been leaking? Is it nearing the end of its expected lifespan? Not sure if you can restore it or should it be completely replaced? Below are five reasons why restoration may be the best choice for your prospective customer.

1. Restoration Costs Less

A complete roof replacement can be expensive in labor and materials, particularly if the existing roof must be removed first. Depending on the roofing system selected, costs average between $18 and $22 per square foot. Restoration, on the other hand, requires less labor and materials, and thus costs about $6 to $9 per square foot.

2. Restoration Extends the Roof’s Life

Commercial roofs typically last about 20 years — restoration can add 10 to 15 years of life. Your customer can defer complete replacement and make future plans for the expenditure in their capital budget.

3. Restoration is More Sustainable

Millions of tons of roofing waste end up in landfills annually. Because it allows your customer to reuse their existing roof, restoration is a much more environmentally friendly option. Plus, it can make the building more energy efficient and may help it qualify for ENERGY STAR or LEED credits.

4. Restoration Provides Tax Benefits

Roof restoration is classified as a maintenance expenditure, while replacement is considered a capital expense. In most cases, your customer will pay less tax on maintenance by taking the current deduction versus capitalizing the expense and recovering the cost through depreciation. According to federal rules, commercial roofs are depreciated on a 39-year schedule. Since roofs have an average life of 20 years, it’s wise to extend the useful life of the roof as long as possible.

5. Restoration Helps Prevent Catastrophic Loss

Ignoring the fact that the roof is deteriorating doesn’t make the problem go away; it can only get worse. The more time passes, the greater the potential damage and the more it costs to restore it. At some point, the only option will be total replacement. Continued neglect can put their business, employees and tenants at risk.

Learn more about Tremco roof restoration options at the Tremco Roofing web site.

Source: Tremco Roofing.