Commercial Metal Roofing
Commercial Metal Roof Cost
A commercial standing seam metal roof runs $1,400 to $1,800 per square installed, plus $100 per square to remove an old roof. See what drives the cost and why going direct saves.
How Much Does a Commercial Metal Roof Cost Per Square?
A commercial standing seam metal roof costs $1,400 to $1,800 per square installed for a standard 24-gauge roof in a standard color. A roofing square equals 100 square feet, and roofing professionals price commercial roofs by the square, not by the square foot.
Our commercial pricing is the same wholesale-direct pricing we offer on our residential projects. Because general contractors and other roofing companies hire us, going direct means you skip the markup a middleman would normally add.
Stepping up to 22-gauge steel or selecting a premium color increases the price by about 10%. Steel and aluminum cost the same, so the choice between them is based on the building and environment rather than material cost.
Here is a typical example:
| Commercial Roof Size | Roofing Squares | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 square feet | 100 squares | $140,000 to $180,000 |
If the existing roof must be removed before the new roof is installed, add about $10,000, based on $100 per square. We cover roof removal in the next section.
For broader pricing information, visit our Metal Roof Cost Guide or use our Metal Roof Cost Calculator.
What Does It Cost to Remove an Existing Roof?
Removing an existing commercial roof adds $100 per square to the project. Because a roofing square equals 100 square feet, a 100-square roof adds about $10,000 for roof removal.
Not every commercial project requires a complete tear-off. When the existing roof has a sound substrate and conditions allow, recovering over the existing roof can eliminate the removal cost. That decision is made on a case-by-case basis after evaluating the building.
Removing the old roof gives us direct access to the roof deck so we can inspect its condition before installing the new standing seam system. If the deck or framing needs repairs, it is far better to address those issues before the new roof is installed.
For a typical 10,000-square-foot commercial roof, which equals 100 roofing squares, the pricing looks like this:
| Scope | Cost |
|---|---|
| New 24-gauge standing seam roof (100 squares) | $140,000 to $180,000 |
| Existing roof removal (100 squares) | About $10,000 |
| Total with roof removal | About $150,000 to $190,000 |
Roof removal is only one part of the total project cost. Building height, roof access, roof complexity, and the condition of the existing structure also influence the final price, which we cover in the next section.
What Drives the Cost of a Commercial Metal Roof?
The cost of a commercial metal roof depends on the size of the project in roofing squares, the roofing system you choose, the building itself, and the amount of labor required to install it.
The biggest pricing factors include:
- Total roof size in roofing squares.
- Roofing system, including architectural standing seam, structural standing seam, or an economical R-panel screw-down system.
- Metal gauge, with 22-gauge adding about 10% over a standard 24-gauge roof.
- Color selection, with premium colors adding about 10%.
- Building height and roof access, which affect labor and equipment.
- Roof complexity, including curbs, penetrations, parapets, skylights, and other details.
- Condition of the roof deck or framing, if repairs are required before installation.
- Roof slope, which affects installation time and safety requirements.
- Existing roof removal, when a tear-off is necessary instead of a recover.
Permit fees are additional and vary by city and jurisdiction, so they are not included in the roofing prices shown on this page.
If you would like to understand the differences between 24-gauge and 22-gauge steel, see our commercial metal gauge page. To compare architectural standing seam, structural standing seam, and R-panel systems, see our commercial standing seam installation page and our panel profiles page.
Does a Screw-Down Roof Cost Less Than Standing Seam?
A screw-down R-panel roof costs less than a standing seam roof because it uses exposed fasteners instead of a concealed, floating attachment system. It is the economical, utilitarian choice for many commercial buildings.
The lower price comes from a simpler installation method and fewer specialized components. That makes an R-panel exposed-fastener roof a practical option when upfront cost is the primary consideration.
A standing seam metal roof uses concealed fasteners and allows the panels to expand and contract with temperature changes. The fasteners remain protected beneath the panels, and the floating clip system is engineered for long-term performance.
An R-panel roof secures each panel with exposed fasteners driven through the face of the metal. It costs less, but it gives up the concealed-fastener design and floating panel system that distinguish standing seam roofing.
The right choice depends on your building, your budget, and your performance goals. To compare the available commercial roofing systems in more detail, visit our Commercial Standing Seam Installation page or explore the different panel profiles on our panel profiles page.
Why Is Our Commercial Pricing Below the Market?
Our commercial pricing is lower because you hire us directly instead of paying the markup added by a general contractor or another roofing company. Going direct typically saves about 30% compared to hiring through a middleman.
Until 2026, we worked almost exclusively as the metal roofing subcontractor for general contractors and other roofing companies. They sold the project, added their markup, then hired us to perform the actual standing seam installation.
Today, building owners, developers, facility managers, and property managers can work directly with The Metal Roof Pros. You receive the same experienced standing seam crew without paying someone else's markup.
Lower pricing does not mean a different roofing system. The same materials, installation methods, and workmanship go into every commercial standing seam roof whether the customer is another contractor or the building owner.
If your existing standing seam roof still has years of service left, restoration or targeted repairs may be a lower-cost alternative to replacement. Learn more on our Commercial Metal Roof Repair page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Get a free satellite quote for your commercial standing seam metal roof. We'll email your estimate, answer your questions, and there's no salesperson.
Call (818) 937-4500 or use the contact form in the footer to get started. You are hiring the contractor other roofing companies and general contractors hire.
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