Raising the Roof: The Real Math Behind Raising Industrial Roofs

This week, Saul sits down with Matt DeVito and Rob Marek to unpack a niche strategy most industrial owners don’t even know exists: lifting the roof.

If you own vintage industrial with 14–16’ clear heights, you already know the problem. Modern users want 24’, 28’, or more. Instead of tearing down and rebuilding, Matt and Rob walk through how entire warehouse roofs can be hydraulically lifted — and when it actually makes financial sense.

This isn’t a gimmick episode. It’s a feasibility conversation.

Key takeaways:

• How roof lifting actually works from a structural standpoint

• What happens to sprinklers, HVAC, lighting, and fire protection

• Typical timelines from analysis to lift day

• Real-world cost frameworks for a 100,000 SF building

• When column removal is practical — and when it kills the deal

• The math behind deciding whether to lift, redevelop, or sell

The central question isn’t “Can you lift the roof?” It’s “Should you?”

If you're holding older industrial in urban or suburban markets and wondering how to compete with modern warehouse specs, this episode gives you a framework to evaluate the move.

Connect with: Matt DeVito – liftxusa.com Rob Marek – rooflift.com