real estate

 

Hey there, it’s Anne Serzz! Today, we’re shifting focus to the fast-paced world of real estate and property management. Whether it’s tight loading zones or weekend-only work windows, every property comes with its own set of roofing challenges. I sat down with Billy Phillips, Global Accounts Project Manager and Tom Vehrs, Senior Vice President of National and Global Accounts to get the inside scoop on real estate roofing. In this blog, they’ll uncover what building owners and managers are really looking for and how your roof can help you deliver it. Let’s dive in:

 

  1. 1. What are some unique requirements when working with real estate and property management companies on their roofing and flooring needs? 

 

Billy: Unlike warehouses or manufacturing facilities that often have downtime, roofing projects in this industry almost always involve occupied spaces. Even before conducting roof work, staging and loading materials can be tricky. During roof work, we can’t disturb tenants by walking through the interior or using elevators most of the time. When working with property owners and managers, it really boils down to minimizing interruptions, which takes a lot of planning upfront. 

 

Tom: Agreed! Just seeing someone on the roof can trigger tenant complaints or reignite old issues. We really need to work around their operations so communication and transparency are key.

 

 

  1. 2. Can you speak to the importance of roof documentation (warranties, inspection history, repairs, etc) during property acquisition or disposition? What can we do to help?

 

Tom: Roof documentation is critical, especially in commercial real estate, where properties are bought and sold frequently. They typically ask us for copies of the roof warranty, inspection reports and a record of all repairs to stay informed. With that portfolio in hand, their brokers can walk into any sale knowing if the roof has been maintained or even nearing its end of life. Either way, it’s our job to provide them with a clear picture of its condition to remove any uncertainty for them.

 

Billy: Think of it like buying a used car. If there are records of service and maintenance, that’s going to give you a lot more confidence in your purchase. It’s the same with roofs. When sellers can hand over a package that includes its history, it strengthens the deal. On the flip side, if you're a buyer, we can share how much life remains on the roof and even offer warranty extension options through a maintenance program. Whether buying or selling, solid roof documentation helps keep the roof from being a wildcard in the transaction.

 

 

    1. 3. Are you seeing increased demand for roof upgrades that support real estate goals or lease compliance, like energy efficiency or certain maintenance and repairs?

 

Tom: We’re seeing occasional upgrades, but only in very specific situations. If a tenant has a critical need, like cooling a data center or maintaining cold storage, then energy efficiency becomes non-negotiable. In those cases, upgrades like additional insulation or reflective membranes absolutely matter. You also occasionally see it in older Class C buildings that are being converted into call centers or office space. These owners proactively ask for better insulation, but that’s more the exception than the rule.

 

To explain that a little further, in commercial real estate, buildings are often categorized by class. 

 

Class A properties are typically high-end. Think corporate headquarters with modern lighting, glass entries, quality finishes and a polished appearance. In these cases, building owners care about how a roofing solution impacts the tenant experience.

 

Class C buildings may have aging exteriors, minimal landscaping and outdated fixtures. The priority in these cases is often speed and cost. 

 

So unless the client absolutely has to meet code or the upgrade directly affects the tenant’s operations, many will try to avoid making changes. If a similar building down the street didn’t have to upgrade, sometimes they don’t see the ROI in doing it themselves, especially if it doesn’t lead to higher lease rates.

 

 

  1. 4. Can you share an example of how proactive roof maintenance or repairs helped a property owner or manager?

 

Tom: Absolutely! Recently, a buyer was looking at a building with a nine-year-old ballasted EPDM roof under a 20-year warranty. Because of the age and older roof system, they were initially trying to negotiate the roof out of the purchase price, until we stepped in with documentation. It showed there were still 11 years left on the warranty and the building had been under a Preventative Maintenance Program with us. Over those 9 years, we had only been called out twice for minor repairs and small maintenance needs. We were able to transfer the warranty to the new owner and sit down with them to walk through the cost of ownership. Once they saw how a well-maintained roof with a strong warranty and low repair history impacted the long-term value, it shifted their perspective. 

 

Billy: Like Tom says, it’s really about the total cost of ownership. If the roof’s not leaking, it’s typically out of sight, out of mind. But when issues do come up, you get business interruptions, stained ceiling tiles, peeling paint and more. Roof maintenance is like buying insurance: you’re making repairs as needed based on annual inspections that either extend the life of the roof, push replacement costs down the road or eventually save 30–50% in roofing dollars with a layover instead of a full tear-off. There’s always an upfront cost to a Preventative Maintenance Program, but it never exceeds what you’d spend on a complete tear-off later.

 

There you have it! In the real estate industry, it all comes down to documentation, communication and smart roofing decisions. Whether you manage or own a single site or a full portfolio, your roof shouldn’t be a liability, it should be a selling point. The way you handle your roof now can truly make or break tenant relationships and deal negotiations, we’re here to help: [link to contact].

 

 

About our panel:

 

Billy Phillips:

With nine of his 11 years at CentiMark focused on real estate, Billy brings deep insight into how the industry operates. From navigating client relationships to understanding what building owners and managers really care about, he knows how to deliver roofing strategies that align with business goals!

 

Tom Vehrs:

Tom has nearly 30 years in the commercial roofing industry and has truly done it all. From boots-on-the-ground Project Manager roles to guiding major real estate clients as a National and Global Account Manager, his experience gives him a unique perspective on both day-to-day operations and long-term portfolio strategy.

 

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