The case for roof restoration

By Emma Peterson. 

APOC’s latest study quantifies the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects.  

In May of 2026, APOC, a leading liquid-applied roof restoration manufacturer and a member of ICP Building Solutions Group, released a new benchmark study all about the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects. The study compared restoration practices to traditional reroofing methods and showcased a shift that many contractors have experienced colloquially – that in an increasingly constrained labor and cost environment, restoration can be a powerful and profitable path forward.  

How the study was conducted 

This study is a part of APOC’s broader commitment to “innovation, education and industry leadership, equipping professionals with the tools, training and insights needed to maximize performance in the field.” In the study, APOC compared key performance indicators of 118 commercial roofing projects, noting which ones used restoration methods versus which went the traditional reroofing route. These indicators include profitability, labor efficiency, timeline and margin strength.  

The study was developed in partnership with Cotney Consulting Group, a roofing-specific consulting firm led by roofing leader John Kenney. John shared his thoughts about the importance of this survey, adding, “I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years, and most of that time it’s been widely accepted that restoration is the more profitable path when the roof supports it. But widely accepted and proven are two different things. This study closes that gap. Finish faster, run a smaller crew, keep more margin. That’s not theory anymore; now we can show you the numbers.” 

Key findings  

The numbers show that restoration delivered average gross margins around 43% (outperforming many reroofs which have typical margins between 30%–60%), required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear offs and could be completed with crews 1/3 smaller than reroof crews. These are just three examples of the study’s findings, which all support the idea that restoration “minimizes operational disruption for building owners, reduces project risk and supports scalability across a wide range of commercial roof sizes.” 

As Johnny Walker, a national technical manager at APOC, explained:  

At a time when contractors are under pressure to do more with less, this research provides clear, quantifiable evidence that restoration is not just a viable alternative, but it’s often the smarter business decision. At APOC, we’ve always believed in the power of restoration, when viable. Now we can show contractors exactly why it makes sense to their bottom line. 

Access the full restoration index report for free!