Brandon Roofers provides commercial roofing in Downham Market, covering flat roof replacement, felt and single-ply systems, and full re-roofing on industrial units, retail premises, warehouses and office buildings.
Commercial roofs are a different proposition to domestic work. The areas are larger, the access is more involved, and a leak or failure can disrupt a business, damage stock or trigger a health and safety concern. We work on the full range of commercial property types: industrial units, trade counters, retail units, warehouses, and office buildings.
Flat roofs make up the majority of commercial stock, and the most common systems we encounter are built-up felt, torch-on felt, and single-ply membranes. We replace failing systems and carry out targeted repairs where the roof still has serviceable life. We also work on pitched commercial roofs.
Where a business cannot close, we schedule work outside trading hours. Early starts, evening work and weekend shifts are all options worth discussing when you contact us.
This is the part most businesses get wrong. A commercial roofing job is not a small domestic repair. The stakes are higher, the costs are greater, and a poor decision is harder and more expensive to undo. Taking time at the start to ask the right questions will save you money and stress later. Here is what to look for and what to ask.
Many roofing companies do most of their work on houses. That is not a disqualification, but it does mean you need to ask directly: what commercial jobs have they completed, and can they describe the type of roof, the system used, and the scale of the work? A contractor who can talk you through the difference between a torch-on felt specification and a cold-applied single-ply system, or explain why one suits your building better than the other, is showing you genuine technical knowledge rather than sales talk.
Ask whether they have worked on buildings of a similar size and use to yours. A warehouse roof with pedestrian traffic from maintenance staff has different requirements to a sealed retail unit roof. The contractor should understand those differences without you having to prompt them.
Safe access on a commercial building is not straightforward. Scaffolding, mobile elevated work platforms (cherry pickers or scissor lifts), or industrial roof ladders with edge protection may all be appropriate depending on the building height, footprint, and surrounding site. Ask any contractor what their access plan is for your specific building, and how they will manage the risk of working at height.
A contractor who gives a vague answer or says they will work it out when they arrive is not one you want on your roof. This is not a box-ticking exercise: working at height on a commercial building is genuinely hazardous, and the method of access affects both safety and cost. Edge protection and scaffolding add time and money to a job, but cutting corners on them is not an option.
A quote is only as good as what it specifies. Before you accept any price, ask for a written scope of works that covers the following:
If a quote does not answer these questions, ask for a revised version that does. A contractor who is reluctant to put the detail in writing is a red flag. You need a clear record of what was agreed so that, if anything is missed or done differently, you have a basis for a conversation.
On a commercial flat roof, the choice of system matters. Torch-on felt (also called hot-melt felt) has been a standard for decades and is well understood. It is applied in layers using a gas torch, bonding the felt to the deck and to itself. A properly installed two-layer torch-on system on a sound deck typically performs well for fifteen to twenty years.
Single-ply membranes (such as EPDM rubber or thermoplastic systems) are increasingly specified on larger commercial roofs because they are lightweight, can cover large areas with fewer seams, and are generally faster to install. EPDM in particular has a strong track record for longevity. Single-ply systems typically cost more per square metre than felt, but the labour saving on large areas can offset some of that difference.
A contractor should be able to explain which system they are recommending for your building and give you a clear reason. If the answer is simply "that is what we always use", push for more. The best system for your building depends on the deck type, the existing drainage, the level of foot traffic the roof receives, and your budget. There is rarely one universally correct answer.
Drainage is one of the most overlooked aspects of a commercial re-roofing job. A new membrane installed over poorly draining outlets, blocked pipes or inadequately falling roof sections will fail prematurely. Standing water is the single biggest enemy of a flat roof covering, and a good contractor will assess the drainage as part of their survey, not as an afterthought.
Ask specifically: will the outlets be cleared or replaced as part of the work, and is the existing drainage layout adequate for the roof area? On older commercial buildings, particularly those built in the 1960s and 1970s, the original drainage was often undersized or has been partially blocked by decades of debris. Addressing this at the same time as the re-roofing is far cheaper than coming back to it separately.
On a commercial re-roofing job, the condition of the deck is only fully visible once the existing covering is stripped. Timber decks can be rotten. Concrete decks can have cracks or failed waterproofing beneath the screed. Metal decks can be corroded. Ask the contractor what their process is when they find something unexpected, and get a clear answer on how additional work will be priced before you agree to the contract.
A day rate for deck repair is a reasonable and transparent approach. A contractor who says "we will cross that bridge when we come to it" without any agreed pricing framework is asking you to sign a blank cheque for potential extras. That is not acceptable on a job of this scale.
Commercial flat roofing in the UK typically costs between £40 and £90 per square metre for a standard felt or EPDM replacement, depending on the system specified, the condition of the deck, and the complexity of access. A straightforward torch-on felt re-roof on a sound deck tends to sit in the lower part of that range. Single-ply membrane systems, particularly on larger roofs with complex detailing, sit higher. Scaffolding or platform hire adds to the total and varies with building height and site layout.
On a small commercial unit of around 100 square metres, total costs commonly fall between £5,000 and £9,000. A larger warehouse or retail unit of 500 square metres might run from £22,000 to £45,000 or more, depending on access, system choice and deck condition. These are indicative ranges only; every building is different, and a proper survey is the only reliable way to get an accurate figure.
Be cautious of quotes that are significantly below these ranges without a clear explanation of what has been left out. A price that looks attractive because it excludes scaffold, deck repair allowances, or proper outlet replacement is not a saving.
None of these questions are unreasonable, and any contractor worth hiring will answer them without hesitation. If a contractor is evasive or rushes you to sign before you have seen a written specification, take that as a clear signal to look elsewhere.
We are based in Brandon and cover Downham Market and the surrounding area for commercial roofing work. We can discuss scheduling to fit around your business operations. If you have a commercial roof that needs attention, call us to arrange a survey so we can give you a proper assessment of what is needed and what it will cost.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
