Tips When Selecting A Commercial Roofer for Your Property
As a property owner and business person, you must be careful and selective about everything. This includes choosing the best employees, finding the right supply chain and selecting a top quality vendor like a commercial roofer.
Your commercial roofer should have the proper licenses, certificates and affiliations.
They must provide proof that they are licensed to practice in your state and that all paperwork is up to date. This includes having insurance, worker’s compensation and liability coverage. These things are vital if there is ever an accident while they are performing work on your property. It’s also important that all employees who will work on your commercial roof be trained and certified, not just the owner. Additionally, since it’s a commercial building, you are subject to regular inspections and you need to know that you have done everything possible to ensure your roof is sound and will pass these inspections. You can find information from the department of licenses in your state. Get copies of all paperwork to protect yourself and your company.
Ask for referrals.
Every company will say they are the best but the only real proof of that is a satisfied customer. You can ask friends, business associates and other businesses in your area. To get an accurate idea of what your experience with the commercial roofer will be like, make sure that the referral has had work done recently and that their building is similar to yours. Also, remember to ask about friendliness of staff, how well they communicate and whether follow up work was needed before the job was done satisfactorily. Be sure to ask for a portfolio of their previous work. You can also ask the company for a list of references. Don’t just ask for the list; take the time to actually call each one
Make sure they have expertise in all commercial roofing matters.
It would be a hassle if you have to hire multiple companies to work on one roof. For instance, if you have an older roof, you don’t want a commercial roofer who has no experience handling all the issues associated with this kind of roof. That means they will likely have to subcontract the job to different companies, leaving you at risk for mistakes and problems that can arise from working with unknown companies.
Remember that the lowest bidder is not always the greatest value.
In your desire to save money, it’s tempting to select the company with the lowest estimate. However, beware. Some of these companies use subpar materials and cut corners in order to outbid competitors. This will end up costing you more money in the long run and, in extreme cases, can lead to total roof failure.
Tips on Choosing Good Commercial Roofing
It is vital that you provide your investments with ample protection against harsh climate. That said, it can be challenging to decide which roof would best provide you with the peace of mind that you need.
Choose a Durable Roofing Material
There are many kinds of commercial roofing in the market and it can be confusing to pick the one that you can truly rely on. When it comes to roofing, however, you can never go wrong with choosing a durable product. Apart from water restoration in Lincoln, NE, we offer thermoplastic roofing that is resistant to extreme temperatures and can last for 20 years. These can also withstand strong winds and punctures, despite unpleasant weather conditions.
Choose an Energy-Efficient Roof
It can be tricky to manage your company’s budget. As much as possible, you want to save and earn more than you spend. Fortunately, we offer PV solar panels that can help you do just that. These roofing systems absorb sunlight and use it to generate energy for your business. These help keep your energy costs low while promoting comfort in your workspace.
Tips For Choosing Commercial Roofing Contractors
Do your homework
Checking out your options before hiring a roofing contractor to service your company building is important. Inquire about a perspective roofer’s background, whether or not they are licensed and insured, how long they have been in business, etc
Ask around
Many businesses obtain a majority of their work through word-of-mouth, which can be a great way for you to find a reliable roofing company. Ask other businesses in the area to recommend a good Atlanta roofer, which will make your search easier.
Ask for references
Asking for references is a good idea and if a commercial roofing company hesitates to provide you with references upon request, then you should steer clear. A reputable roofing company will not hesitate and will be proud to provide you with former customers who can vouch for the quality of their work
Check with the BBB
Although not all businesses are members with the Better Business Bureau, it’s a good idea to check with this agency before hiring a company. Even if a company isn’t listed, there could still be complaints that have been filed with the BBB, which could be helpful when it comes to ruling out perspective commercial roofers
Request portfolios
It might be a good idea to ask to see portfolios of work that perspective roofers have done in the past. A professional commercial roofer will be proud to show off his or her work and this can help you narrow down your possibilities further.
How to choose a good commercial roofing contractor
With so many commercial roofing contractors (also known as ‘flat roofing contractors’) out there, how do you choose a good one? What do you ask them, or look for, to find out if they are trustworthy, reliable, and do quality work? When on-line reviews can be faked, and when the company can say anything they want on their own website, how can you research the company yourself?
Is the commercial or flat roofing contractor licensed?
If a commercial roofing contractor is licensed, it means they have been granted a trade license as required by local laws. In Colorado, roofers are not licensed at the state level. To become licensed, the roofing company must pass business practice and trade skill tests, pay a fee, and prove they are insured and/or bonded.
Do they have experience?
If the commercial roofing contractor doesn’t have experience, you don’t want them to ‘cut their teeth’ on your roof. When a roofer is just starting-out, if they use your roof as their training grounds, you can bet mistakes will be made, and you will pay the price. Save yourself the headache and keep looking for someone with more experience.
Are they a member of a roofing association?
It’s not easy to be a member of a reputable roofing organization or association. If a commercial roofing contractor is a member, that means they’ve met certain criteria
Is the contractor certified or qualified?
Just like becoming a member of a roofing association, it takes a lot to become certified or qualified or ‘preferred’. Take Owens Corning, for example. In addition to the above items, to become a Preferred Contractor with them, the company must also have no legal actions or judgements during the past 5 years, and no personal or business bankruptcies during the past 7 years. To find out if a commercial roofing contractor is a Preferred Contractor of Owens Corning, use their “Find a Roofing Contractor” page.
Tips to Follow When Selecting Your Commercial Roofer
Choosing the right person for the job isn’t an easy task. There are many offers and contractors out there and homeowners might get lost during the whole process.
License and Insurance
The two most important things you should ask for when selecting your commercial roofer are license and insurance. The former is more crucial than the latter since there are many cases where non-licensed roofers still manage to get the job done.
Do Some Research
The Internet makes research extremely easy. To check someone’s work, you just need to follow up on their social media accounts. LinkedIn and Facebook would be great places to start, but you can also check reviews on sites like Angie’s List, Homestars and Yelp.
Warranties
Your roof is as good as the warranty. Hiring somebody that doesn’t offer warranties isn’t a smart move. Additionally, you should read them in detail in case something isn’t mentioned or just doesn’t seem right. When you are talking about warranties
Offers & Services
Of course, hiring an up-to-date firm is very important. Roofs dictate curb appeal and energy efficiency thus directly influencing your home’s value. You wouldn’t want a roofing company that is outdated and that offers “old school” solutions to modern contracting problems.