- Complimentary Inspections
- Family Owned and Operated
- 20+ Years Experience
- Licensed and Insured
A commercial roofer for Columbia businesses
When the roof over a business fails, the cost goes well past the repair: stock, equipment, daily operations and the people inside are all exposed. Lake Murray Construction maintains, repairs, restores and replaces shingle roofs on commercial buildings in Columbia and across the Midlands. We are family owned, based at 230 Joe Free Rd in Chapin, with more than 20 years of roofing experience, and we plan the work around your hours.
Every commercial job begins with a complimentary roof inspection and a written report, so you can plan the work and the budget with the facts in hand. There is more about the service on our commercial roofing page, and our office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, at (803) 708-6628.
- Commercial roof repair
- Commercial roof replacement
- Storm damage restoration
- Inspections with written reports
- Shingle roofs on commercial buildings
- Insurance documentation with photos
Get a fast, no obligation estimate from our team.
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What Our Customers Say
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Get a Free EstimateWhy Columbia business owners call Lake Murray Construction
20+ Years on Midlands Roofs
Our crew has spent more than 20 years on roofs across the Midlands, including shingle roofs on commercial buildings in Columbia and Lexington.
Work Planned Around You
We schedule the job around your business hours so a roof repair does not shut your doors.
Safety on Every Job
We follow safety regulations and sound practice on every roof, protecting your property, your staff and our crew.
Licensed, Insured, Documented
Lake Murray Construction is licensed and insured, and every inspection ends with a written report and photos for your records.
How a commercial roof project runs
- 1
Book an Inspection
Call us or use the form to set up a complimentary inspection and estimate for your building.
- 2
Look Over the Roof
We check the roof for cracks, missing shingles, failed seals and the small surface problems that grow into leaks.
- 3
Written Findings
You receive a report on what we found, the condition of the roof and the repairs or maintenance we recommend.
- 4
Repair or Replace
Our team scopes the damage, sets a plan and carries it out quickly to keep downtime low.
- 5
Final Inspection
We check the finished work and make sure your needs were met before we close the job.
Commercial roofing services in Columbia
Repairs
Leaks, damaged shingles and failed flashing or sealant, traced back to where the water gets in and fixed with as little disruption as possible.
Replacement
A new roof when the old one has reached the end of its service life, with quality materials and a schedule built around your business.
Storm restoration
Wind, hail and heavy rain damage assessed in full, documented for your insurer and repaired.
Inspections
Regular checks that catch wear, ponding and failed seals before water reaches the interior, with a written report of findings and recommendations.
Shingle roofs
Installation, repair and inspection of shingle roofing on commercial buildings.
Property managers
A written report after every inspection covering findings, condition and recommendations, useful for an annual review or a building you are evaluating.
Midlands weather and a commercial roof
Big, low pitched commercial roofs take the brunt of the Columbia climate. The National Weather Service office in Columbia counts about 81 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and that sun breaks down sealants and dries out roofing. Its 1991 to 2020 normals put rain at 45.24 inches a year, heaviest in June, July and August, and water that cannot drain off a roof works into every weak seam.
Wind is the other threat. Most of the office's severe weather warnings come between April and July, and an August 15, 2023 microburst gave the airport an 88 mph gust, the highest on record there. Midlands storms on March 15, 2008 brought several reports of golf ball size hail. An inspection once a year and after every major storm is the least expensive protection a commercial roof can get.
Commercial storm claims and insurance
Good documentation moves a commercial claim along. Our inspection report pairs photos of the damage with a written description, which is what your insurer will ask to see. Policies vary: sudden damage from wind, hail or falling debris is often covered, while age and wear usually are not.
The South Carolina Department of Insurance claims guide applies to a business as well as a home. Temporary repairs that prevent more damage are expected, so keep every bill and receipt, and hold off on signing for anything beyond those until your adjuster agrees on the scope. If water is already coming in, see our emergency roofing page.
Commercial permits in Columbia and Richland County
City of Columbia
Roofing permits inside the city go through Planning and Development Services at the Development Center, 1136 Washington Street, using the city's roofing permit application.
What the application asks
The form asks for the contractor's South Carolina license number, the job value and whether the property is in a flood hazard area.
Richland County permits
Richland County Building Permitting and Inspections issues permits for commercial repair, reconstruction and alteration, and licensed commercial contractors apply through its online contractor program.
Plan review first
The county's commercial plan review routes plans to the departments that need to see them before construction starts.
Booking inspections
County inspections are booked online or by phone at (803) 576-2140.
Contractor licensing
General contractors in South Carolina are licensed by the SC LLR Contractor's Licensing Board.
The building code for Columbia commercial roofs
The code in force
South Carolina cities and counties enforce the codes adopted by the Building Codes Council. For commercial buildings that is the 2021 South Carolina Building Code, in force since January 1, 2023.
The next edition
The 2024 edition takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Wind and shingles
Chapter 15 covers roof assemblies. Decks and coverings are designed for the code's wind loads, and asphalt shingles must pass the ASTM D7158 wind test and go only on slopes of 2 in 12 or steeper.
Overflow drainage
Where roof drains are required, a roof whose edges would hold water back also needs secondary overflow drains or scuppers.
Serving Columbia and the Midlands
We repair and replace roofs across the area, including
Every job starts with a complimentary roof inspection.
Columbia commercial roofing questions
What commercial buildings do you work on?
Commercial buildings of any size with a shingle roof. If your building has another roof system, call us and we will tell you whether it is work we take on.
Will the work disrupt our business?
We plan the job around your hours to keep interruptions to your operations as small as possible.
How fast can you check a leak?
Call (803) 708-6628. We schedule an inspection promptly, and if water is coming in we put temporary protection in place first.
Do you work with property managers?
Yes. Every inspection ends with a written report on the findings, the roof's condition and our recommendations.
Do we need a permit for a commercial roof in Columbia?
Inside the city, roofing permits go through the Development Center on Washington Street. Richland County handles its own commercial permits and plan review, and we can tell you what applies to your property at the estimate.
Is the commercial roof inspection free?
Yes. It is complimentary, and it comes with photos and a written estimate.
Still have questions? Call (803) 708-6628 or request your complimentary estimate.
Ready for a Roof You Can Count On?
Reach out today for a complimentary roof inspection and estimate.