Flat roof replacement

[Alan Fitzpatrick]

I have a property under contract in Toledo right now and it needs a new roof. It's a flat top, approximately 14-15 squares and the few quotes I've been able to get have been exceedingly high.. 

Does anyone have experience with flat roofs in Toledo and can recommend a company?

[Andrew Fidler]

Hi Alan - I would recommend you evaluate the current roof and decide what is most efficient. 

I have an 80’ long 4 unit roof with a 1/12 pitch I did in steel. You can order steel up to 40’ long so you will have very few seams. I install my own steel roofs, they’re easy. Menards is your supplier. Forever life. 

EPDM- rubber roofing would be your next option. I’ve installed it once but with no or one seam they’re super waterproof. ~30yr life. 

Torch down asphalt is my least favorite since I don’t do them...I’ve had several installed on back porch roofs. When contractors put them down and they know what they’re doing it’s a fine move. I personally don’t like a seam every 30” rolling down my roofs (large roofs)...other options are far more durable. 

You have several options for installation depending on your comfort for risk and capability level. I hire direct for the labor paying hourly in cash at the end of every day...supply my own materials...and usually know more about proper installation than the guys working for me. 

You can hire a small group and supply materials but I recommend you avoid anyone with a business card and logo...they will have overhead. (Up goes that risk again, but I like this because you don’t pay them $$ down till work is completed)

Finally you can shop crews with a logo and letterhead, it’s really a simple matter then of price (and ensuring the cheapest bidder isn’t a farce and shows up...after you hire a full-dog-and-pony-show contractor and still know more about installation than they do it’s probably time to form a crew for each job)(you will commonly pay 20% down since they are providing materials)

There’s less fact to the process than luck and experience from dropping the ball a few times. I have finished every single job I’ve started over the past decade but I certainly have fired my share of full-service contractors and dismissed hourly guys who say they can walk a roof but can’t.