Commercial Roofing in Texas: Salaries, Hourly Rates, Services, and the New Roof Law

Commercial roofing in Texas is a serious trade with real numbers behind it: wages, billing rates, insurance requirements, code compliance, and new laws that affect who can bid your project and how they can market to you. If you own or manage a building in Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City, or the I-30 corridor, knowing these details helps you budget accurately and pick the right partner. As a commercial roofing company in Rockwall TX, SCR, Inc. General Contractors works daily inside this reality. Here’s a grounded look at pay, pricing, scope, and law — plus practical guidance from jobs right here in Rockwall County.

What Commercial Roofers Earn in Texas

Most commercial roofing firms in Texas pay by role and experience, not just by time on the tools. Pay also shifts by project type, safety certifications, and the ability to run a crew without babysitting.

Entry-level laborers who can stage materials, run tear-offs safely, and clean up typically earn an hourly rate in the mid to high teens. A realistic range is about 16 to 20 dollars per hour in the Rockwall area. Workers who demonstrate good safety habits and learn torch, induction welders, or single-ply detail work move into 20 to 24 dollars per hour.

Installers with strong membrane and metal skills often sit in the 24 to 30 dollars per hour range. They handle seams, penetrations, edge metal, and detail flashings with speed and accuracy. Lead installers and foremen who can read plans, manage manpower, interface with the GC or owner, and close out punch lists often earn between 28 and 38 dollars per hour. On high-complexity jobs — occupied medical, food production, or heavy HVAC penetrations — experienced foremen may reach the low 40s.

Project managers and estimators usually run on salary with bonuses tied to margin and schedule. In Texas, a PM handling multiple crews and jobs can see salaries from the mid 60s to the 90s, with larger outfits going higher for heavy industrial or multi-facility portfolios.

Travel pay, per diem, and overtime matter. Many commercial projects stage early and run long days to beat heat or to work around tenant schedules. Overtime rates and weekend premiums add real income for field teams, especially in peak seasons from March through October.

If you’re assessing a contractor by the truck count in their yard, look closer. The best indicator is crew quality and retention. Crews who stick with a company know each other’s pace and keep warranty claims low. That translates to predictable schedules and cleaner handoffs to your facilities team.

What Commercial Roofing Companies Charge per Hour

Clients often ask for a crew rate so they can compare bids on equal footing. That makes sense, but it needs context. Hourly rates balloon or shrink based on scope: tear-off versus overlay, night work, crane picks for RTUs, fastener patterns, parapet height, and insurance class. Still, here are fair Texas ranges for reference.

For service and leak repair work, most commercial roof service divisions bill technician time between 95 and 140 dollars per hour for one to two technicians. That covers diagnosis, small repairs, and minor materials. Emergency calls after hours usually carry a higher minimum and a premium, often 1.5 times the normal rate.

For installation crews, expect crew-based rates rather than individual rates. A common structure is a daily or hourly crew rate that includes three to six installers plus a foreman. In Rockwall County, a four-person crew with a working foreman often prices in the 165 to 240 dollars per hour range, not including a crane, specialized lifts, or disposal. If the job demands certified torch crews, OSHA flagging, or safety monitors, add cost. If the building requires night work to keep a grocery or medical tenant quiet during the day, add cost again. Specialized equipment like a 70-ton crane for HVAC picks, or a hoist for downtown Rockwall alleys, is billed separately or rolled into the unit price.

Material handling is a larger slice of hourly cost than most owners expect. Single-ply rolls, insulation packs, and metal accessories move up and down ladders or lifts all day. Good crews stage materials by zone to reduce double-handling, which saves billable hours. On-panel systems like standing seam metal or large tapered insulation packages require careful logistics. That planning time is real cost, even if you do not see it on the roof.

For budgets, many owners ask for a per-square (100 square feet) price. That can work once the scope crystalizes. In Rockwall and the greater Dallas area in 2025, simple TPO overlays on straightforward buildings may land in the 4.50 to 7.50 dollars per square foot range. Full tear-offs with deck repairs, insulation to code R-values, and new edge metal often land between 7.50 and 13.00 dollars per square foot. Complex details, tough access, tenant protection, or heavy metal scope push beyond that. Prices move with resin markets and insulation availability, which can be volatile.

What Counts as Commercial Roofing?

Commercial roofing is not about the sign on the building. It is about the roof system, occupancy, safety plan, and legal responsibilities. In Texas, commercial roofing typically includes flat or low-slope systems and complex steep-slope systems on non-residential buildings. You will see these every day in Rockwall’s light-industrial parks, retail centers on Ridge Road, schools, churches, and warehouses along SH 276.

Common commercial systems include TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen (APP or SBS), built-up roof (BUR), spray polyurethane foam with elastomeric coatings, and architectural or structural metal such as standing seam, R-panel, and concealed-fastener wall systems. Many mixed-use buildings have a blend: low-slope membrane on the main deck and metal at mansards and entries. We see that mix across Rockwall Crossing, downtown retail blocks, and lakefront hotels.

Commercial scope also often includes more than membrane or panels. Curbs, penetrations, drains, scuppers, overflow protection, tapered insulation design, walkway pads, fall protection anchors, deck repair, and sheet-metal fabrication fall within a commercial roofer’s work. Tearing off old roofs can expose rotten nailers, wet insulation, spalled lightweight concrete, or a deck riddled with abandoned fasteners. A good commercial roofing company in Rockwall TX will identify these early and build allowances or alternates into your contract.

Warranty is another marker. Commercial manufacturers require certified installers and specific details to issue NDL (no dollar limit) warranties. A residential shingle warranty model does not apply. Expect system warranties from 10 to 30 years depending on membrane thickness, attachment method, insulation layer count, and whether the warranty includes hail coverage or puncture protection. If a low bid comes with a short or limited warranty, compare apples to apples.

The New Texas Roof Law: What It Changed and Why It Matters

Texas has tightened laws around roofing, advertising, and deductible payment in recent years. The central point for owners is this: you must pay your insurance deductible, and contractors cannot waive or absorb it. Texas Insurance Code Section 707.002 requires homeowners and business owners to pay their deductible and prohibits contractors from advertising or promising to waive it. Violations invite penalties for both parties. The contractor must provide a signed contract stating you will pay the deductible, and insurers can request reasonable proof of payment before releasing funds.

For commercial projects in Rockwall and across Texas, the practical implications look like this. If you have storm damage and a claim, your roofer can explain the scope and pricing, but they cannot “eat the deductible” or backfill with bogus line items to cover it. Any offer to bill an insurer for work not performed crosses a legal line. Expect the roofer to give a real invoice, collect your deductible, and provide lien releases and closeout documents that match the actual work. If a roofer offers a discount, it must be a genuine price reduction on the job that does not misrepresent facts to your insurer.

The law also amplifies scrutiny on door-to-door storm chasers and high-pressure sales tactics. You want a company with a traceable presence in Rockwall County, a real office, a crew roster, and manufacturer credentials you can verify. That protects your warranty and your claim.

If you are unsure where a proposal stands in light of the law, ask for documentation: manufacturer approval letters, a detailed scope of work, an itemized materials list, and invoice language that matches your insurer’s line items where appropriate. SCR, Inc. keeps these records clean because it keeps projects moving and stops headaches before they start.

How Company Rates Tie to Real Job Costs

Rates make sense when you connect them to production. A competent crew on a clear deck with good access can lay 12 to 20 squares of TPO in a day with proper staging and a functional fastener gun fleet. The same crew on a building with limited staging, a three-story hoist, and heavy penetrations may only produce half of that. If your building sits on a tight downtown Rockwall site with limited laydown and street closure requirements, expect more hours per square.

Weather matters in Texas. Heat reduces productivity and triggers safety breaks. Wind limits crane picks and membrane handling. Unexpected rain will force temporary dry-ins and may slow tear-off to keep the building safe. These are not excuses. They are real constraints you should plan into your schedule and cash flow. A local contractor knows our weather patterns and will staff accordingly.

On a recent job near FM 3097, a simple overlay turned into a more detailed project once test cuts revealed saturated ISO and a rusting B-deck around scuppers. We paused, documented, priced deck patch panels, and rebalanced the budget. The owner agreed because we had prepared them for these contingencies in the proposal. That is the value of a clear rate structure and clean communication.

Budgeting for Commercial Roofing in Rockwall: Practical Ranges

Owners want numbers they can plug into a spreadsheet. Use these as planning figures, then refine once we walk the roof:

• Leak diagnosis and small repairs: 300 to 900 dollars per visit for a two-person service team in normal hours, including minor materials. Bigger repairs scale from there.
• Preventive maintenance: 0.07 to 0.20 dollars per square foot for semiannual maintenance programs depending on roof size, number of penetrations, and drain count.
• Coating systems: 2.50 to 5.00 dollars per square foot for elastomeric coatings over sound substrates with documented prep, adhesion tests, and detail work. Not all roofs qualify.
• Single-ply replacements: 7.50 to 13.00 dollars per square foot for tear-off and replacement to current code R-values with new sheet metal.
• Standing seam metal: 10.00 to 18.00 dollars per square foot depending on panel type, gauge, clips, underlayment, and substrate.

These ranges assume Rockwall-area labor and logistics. Long hauls, night work for retail, or special safety conditions on schools will move the needle.

How Insurance and Code Drive Scope

In Rockwall County, energy code requirements set R-value targets for insulation. Re-roofs that remove down to deck often must bring insulation to code. This affects material takeoffs, fastener lengths, and the tapered layout for drainage. If your current roof ponds water after a rain, the new design should correct it with tapered ISO or crickets. That is part of the reason a low-slope re-roof is not just a tear-and-replace exercise.

Hail is another driver. Our area sees frequent hail claims. Many owners choose thicker membranes, cover boards, or impact-rated systems to keep premiums stable. Cover boards like HD polyiso or gypsum improve puncture resistance and reduce fastener telegraphing. They add cost up front and save cost in claims and repairs. If you operate a data center, medical office, or daycare in Rockwall, a tougher assembly can pay for itself in one storm season.

Insurers often ask for thermal scans or moisture surveys to prove saturation. If you buy a building on I-30, consider a survey during due diligence. It sets a baseline for negotiations and helps your roofer plan the right scope during your first maintenance cycle.

What a “Commercial Roofing Company Rockwall TX” Should Bring to the Table

Local experience is not a slogan. It shortens job durations, prevents mistakes, and aligns with inspectors. A commercial roofing company in Rockwall TX should have manufacturer approvals for the systems you prefer, a safety program with documented training, and equipment to handle your building height and access. They should also maintain relationships with city inspectors and understand site-specific rules, like staging hours near schools or traffic control downtown.

Expect a documented pre-job plan. We build a site-specific safety plan, crane and lift plan when applicable, a moisture-control plan for tear-off areas, and a communication tree for your team. If the crew finds wet insulation, they stop, photo-document, and notify you. The plan should also include a bad-weather protocol so you are never guessing during a storm.

Vendor relationships matter when you need a specific color of 24-gauge Kynar or a custom curb quick. With supply lines still variable, a contractor with solid distributor ties will keep your project timeline realistic.

Real Decisions Owners Face — And How We Advise

Owners often weigh overlay versus tear-off. Overlays save money, avoid exposing the interior, and keep debris to a minimum. They only work if the deck is stable, there is no trapped moisture, and code allows it. A second layer may be legal, but add the weight of an extra insulation layer and membrane, then consider the warranty. If you or your insurer need a longer NDL warranty, the manufacturer may require tear-off.

Another decision is whether to phase work. For large complexes in Rockwall with multiple buildings, phasing aligns spend with fiscal years. It also reduces operational disruption. But phasing can raise unit costs if you mobilize multiple times. We usually advise grouping buildings by access and similarity. If two roofs share drainage, do them together to solve ponding issues. If a tenant has a critical season, schedule around it and protect their access. These choices are common sense, but they depend on clean communication and a flexible schedule.

We also get called after a leak emergency to “just patch it.” We do, and fast. But we also take a few photos, note recurring failure points, and offer a plan that shifts you from crisis to maintenance. In Rockwall, many buildings run basic single-ply. A twice-yearly maintenance visit that clears drains and seals stress points costs far less than one ceiling collapse claim. You choose, but we make the choice clear with numbers.

How We Price Service Calls Versus Projects

Service work is about speed and accuracy. We send a two-person team with stocked materials, and we charge an hourly rate with a trip minimum. You get a report with photos and a simple closeout invoice. If we see larger issues, we flag them and, with your approval, convert to a quoted repair or capital project.

Projects demand a different approach. We survey, take core cuts, document deck condition, confirm R-values, and model tapered layouts. We then price labor, materials, equipment, disposal, and safety. We give alternates for better membranes, cover boards, or edge metals and list schedule assumptions. That way you can move line items up or down based on budget and performance goals. There are no hidden commercial roof repair Rockwall sites.google.com “free” items that later become change orders. We want you to know the job you are buying.

How to Compare Bids Without Getting Burned

Good bids are clear. Watch for vague language like “repair as needed” without unit prices. Look for manufacturer, membrane thickness, and warranty term in writing. Ask how many squares per day the crew expects to produce, and what weather buffer they built into the schedule. Confirm whether they included crane time, permits, and disposal. Ask how they will protect landscaping and parked cars. In downtown Rockwall, site protection and traffic control matter as much as membrane selection.

If a bid is far lower, it may be stripping out cover board, reducing fastener density, skipping tapered insulation, or cutting metal gauge. These cuts are not free. They show up later as leaks or warranty problems. We can walk you through any side-by-side comparison and explain what is in and what is missing.

The Hiring Side: Why Wages Matter to Owners

Owners sometimes ask why they should care that a foreman makes 34 dollars per hour versus 26. Here is why: at the higher wage, you get a leader who keeps the site clean, coordinates lifts, orders the right fasteners, and closes penetrations before a storm. That saves you money in schedule and punch lists. Cheap labor costs more in rework and warranty claims.

At SCR, we pay for skills and we keep good people. They are OSHA-trained, manufacturer-certified, and comfortable working on occupied buildings. You feel the difference in fewer surprises and cleaner turnovers.

Rockwall-Specific Factors That Change Cost

Rockwall has micro-conditions that change roofing logistics. Lake-effect winds near Lake Ray Hubbard complicate membrane handling on multi-story buildings. Historic downtown buildings often have odd parapet details and mixed deck types that need special fasteners or patch plates. Retail along Ridge Road must maintain customer access and control noise during business hours. Schools and churches have events that limit staging windows. These constraints shape the plan and the rate.

A commercial roofing company in Rockwall TX that actually builds here knows to schedule crane picks early, coordinate with city permit offices, and plan debris runs to miss school traffic. That is how you keep a job calm and predictable.

What To Do Next: Two Clear Paths

If you have an active leak, call our service desk. We dispatch within standard windows for Rockwall and surrounding cities, and we can arrange after-hours work for critical interiors. Have your roof type, access info, and a contact on site ready. We will locate the source, stop the water, and give you photos and a plan.

If you are budgeting for capital work in the next 6 to 18 months, schedule a roof assessment. We will walk the roof, take core cuts if needed, and map out options with accurate ranges. You will get a scope that aligns with code, warranty targets, and your operational needs. From there we can phase work by building or season and lock in material allocations with our suppliers.

Why SCR, Inc. General Contractors Is a Solid Fit for Rockwall Owners

We live on schedules, checklists, and site control. We work cleanly and communicate in plain language. Our estimators build roof systems that pass inspection and satisfy manufacturer reps. Our crews respect tenants, control debris, and protect interiors. We price jobs with enough labor to do them right the first time and with clear alternates so you can choose where to invest.

If you want a commercial roofing company in Rockwall TX with crews you will see again next season, not a storm outfit that disappears, we are ready to help. Call SCR, Inc. General Contractors to book a leak repair, schedule a roof assessment, or request a competitive proposal. We will meet you on the roof, show you what we see, and give you numbers that stand up to scrutiny.