Commercial Roof Replacement Cost in Savannah, GA: 2026 Complete Pricing Guide

The 2026 Commercial Roof Cost Range in Savannah

Commercial roof replacement in Savannah, GA in 2026 ranges from $8 to $22 per square foot depending on the roof system, deck condition, and project scale. Repair work runs $4 to $12 per square foot. These numbers reflect actual Coastal Georgia commercial roof projects bid this year by reputable contractors — not pre-pandemic figures or national averages.

Below, the price ranges by system, plus the cost drivers that move a project from the low end to the high end of each range.

Cost by Roof System Type

Cost Driver #1: Tear-Off vs Recover

Tearing off the existing roof down to the deck adds $2-$5 per square foot for labor, disposal, and dumpster fees. On a 50,000 sq ft warehouse, that's $100,000-$250,000 in tear-off costs alone. When the existing roof is sound and code-compliant, a recover (installing the new system over the existing) saves the tear-off cost entirely — though it's only an option for the first recover; you can't recover a recover.

Cost Driver #2: Insulation Replacement

If a moisture survey shows wet insulation, that insulation must be torn out and replaced. Replacement polyiso insulation runs $1.50-$3.00 per square foot installed. On a roof with 30%+ wet insulation, this single cost can match or exceed the membrane cost. Always insist on a moisture survey before signing a replacement bid — you may discover that 80% of your insulation is dry and reusable.

Cost Driver #3: Code Upgrades

Georgia building code requires secondary overflow drainage on flat commercial roofs and specific wind-uplift fastener spacing based on building height and exposure. If your existing roof predates current code, replacement triggers code upgrades — usually $0.50-$2.00 per square foot in additional drainage, fasteners, and edge metal. Required, non-negotiable, and frequently underbid by contractors who don't know the code.

Cost Driver #4: Access and Logistics

Crane rental for material loading on multi-story commercial buildings: $2,000-$5,000 per day. Tight downtown Savannah access where materials must be hand-carried through the building: 15-30% labor uplift. Night/weekend work to avoid disrupting tenant operations: 20-50% premium. These line items are real but often hidden in bid totals — always ask for an itemized breakdown.

Sample Project: 50,000 sq ft Warehouse TPO Replacement

A typical Port-of-Savannah warehouse TPO replacement we'd bid in 2026 looks like this:

• Tear-off (full): $125,000
• New polyiso insulation (assume 20% wet): $35,000
• TPO membrane + accessories: $375,000
• Code-upgrade drainage + edge metal: $40,000
• Permits, dumpsters, mobilization: $15,000
• Total: ~$590,000 ($11.80/sqft)

Same roof, 100% dry insulation, no tear-off (recover): drops to about $400,000 ($8.00/sqft). Same roof, full replacement at the high end (PVC instead of TPO, full code upgrade): about $800,000 ($16.00/sqft).

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Insist on a written, itemized bid that separates: tear-off and disposal, insulation, membrane system, flashings and penetrations, edge metal, drainage, permits, and any code upgrades. Vague "$X to replace your roof" quotes hide the cost drivers above and leave you exposed to change orders mid-project. See our commercial roof replacement cost guide for additional cost worksheets, or request a free inspection from Coastal Roofing of Georgia for an itemized 2026 quote.