Save money through proactive roof care

AAR Expert Will Lorenz explains that reroofing is more cost effective if you act early.

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Will Lorenz of General Coatings. You can read the interview below or listen to the recording.

Alex Tolle: Hello, I'm Alex Tolle with RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. And I am here for an AskARoofer expert response with Will Lorenz. Will, how are you?

Will Lorenz: I am great. Thank you very much, Alex.

Alex Tolle: So our question for November of 2025 is what factors have the biggest impact on roofing project costs and how can building owners budget for a roof replacement or repair?

Will Lorenz: Well, that's a great question. And I think it's important that people get their roof evaluated. I think that's the first thing. Outside of square footage, the second biggest thing is what's the condition of the roof? And if you let your roof go past service life and to a point where it's got significant mechanical damage or water intrusion or just wear of the deck and things like that, then you're going to see significant costs.

This is because those significant damage mean you are going to have to tear off that roof and you're to have to put a completely new roof system on. However, if you have a roof, let's say a modified bitumen roof and it's in good condition and it's not yet at service life, you could recoat that or you could put spray polyurethane foam over it with a roof coating. So it could be done in a much more cost effective manner if you don't let your roof get too far gone.

I would always suggest that you have a maintenance program to make sure that you have proper drainage and that you keep your roof functional with minor repairs. That way then when you do have to do roofing work, it's at a more reasonable cost. So I think that's the first thing. If the roof is shot, you're going to spend a lot more money. Also, if you can do the job in more of the summertime conditions, I think you get more efficiencies and your roofer can do it in a more cost effective manner from a labor standpoint. If you wait and try and do it right before the rains in the winter time, odds are it's gonna take a lot longer and it's gonna cost more because of the labor to install it.

What I would also say with regard to budgeting things, I would say that roofs really come down to what system you're trying to do and the condition. So if you want a new roof and you want to upgrade, with regard to the insulation, then you're going to be looking at more cost. If you're looking at a system where you can restore the roof with a roof coating system, you're going to be much more cost effective.

So, what you should plan on is getting a roofer out there looking at your roof, the age and condition of it and then getting them to give you some input as to what you look at. And usually, get three bids so that you see both the high and the low. And I would suggest that, you know, someone in the middle is usually your best choice for your cost. you know, I think that's your best solution there.

Alex Tolle: Yeah, it seems like the most important thing is just really keeping a close eye on and staying informed of the condition of your roof and just not letting things slip till it gets to worst case scenario.

Will Lorenz: Exactly. mean, I always tell people it's like your automobile. If you let the maintenance lapse and you don't do some of those smaller maintenance items, but when you have to go and get something done, you're replacing an engine or a transmission, something very expensive. And perhaps, you know, with some minor maintenance and, you know, planning it out where it's a near service term, but not past, you can get a more cost effective roof solution for you and stay within your financial requirements.

Alex Tolle: Yeah, absolutely. Well, Will, thank you so much. We appreciate your insights and advice and we will see you next month.

Will Lorenz: Thank you, Alex, always appreciated.