Most commercial roofs in the Syracuse area are low-slope membrane, built-up or modified bitumen, and most of their problems come from a few places: rooftop units with flashing that never got finished properly, seams that opened up after freeze and thaw, drains clogged with leaves and grit, and ponding that sat under snow until the membrane wore through.
We start with an inspection, and on larger roofs a core sample to see what's under the membrane and whether the insulation is wet. That decides the path. A sound roof with a few failures gets repaired. A roof with dry insulation and a worn surface can often be recovered with a new membrane over the old, which saves the tear-off cost. A roof with wet insulation has to come off.
Work gets scheduled around your business: early starts, weekends where that's quieter, and a clear plan for keeping entrances safe and the inside dry. Building permits for commercial reroofing are handled with the city, town or village, and the cost is on the proposal.
What the job covers
Condition reports
Photos, a roof plan and a written list of problems by priority.
Core samples
Cut and patched to see what's under the membrane.
Repair or recover
A straight answer on which path the roof can take.
Rooftop units
Curbs and penetrations flashed properly.
Drain work
Strainers, flashing and outlet clearing.
Scheduling
Work timed around tenants and business hours.
Commercial roofing cost
| Job | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Repair visit with report | $500 – $2,000 | Roof size and number of leaks |
| Membrane recover | $6 – $10 per sq ft | Insulation condition, edge detail |
| Tear-off and replacement | $10 – $18 per sq ft | Wet insulation, deck repairs |
| Yearly maintenance visit | $400 – $1,200 | Size and access |
Ranges are for budgeting on typical Onondaga County houses. Your number comes after we've seen the roof, written down with the materials named, and it holds for 30 days.
Who calls us for commercial work
- Owners of mixed-use buildings with shops below and apartments above
- Landlords with several two-family or small apartment buildings
- Offices, clinics and churches with low-slope roofs
- Warehouses and light industrial buildings around the county
- Property managers who need a yearly condition report on file
What the work looks like
Questions about commercial roofing
Can you work while we're open?
Usually, yes. We stage away from entrances, keep debris off walkways and plan noisy work for quieter hours.
What's a roof recover?
A new membrane installed over an existing roof whose insulation is still dry. It costs less than a tear-off and is allowed where there's only one existing roof layer.
How often should a commercial roof be checked?
Twice a year is ideal, spring and fall, and after any major storm. Drains and rooftop units are the usual trouble spots.
Do you handle apartment buildings?
Yes. Two-family and small apartment buildings with flat or low-slope roofs are a large share of Syracuse commercial work.
Will you give us a report for our insurer or lender?
Yes. Written condition reports with photos are part of every commercial inspection.
Do you do snow removal on flat roofs?
When a heavy load is building up, yes. We clear it without cutting into the membrane.