As a commercial property owner, there are few things more important when it comes to building upkeep and maintenance than your building’s roof and it's very important to get a commercial roofing contractor. Whether flat or sloped, synthetic or clay, chances are you’ll face either routine or unexpected maintenance and possibly even a roof replacement over your time of ownership. Even your most experienced and trusted property managers can be taken advantage of by a commercial roofing contractor.
Ensure that your roofing contractor has a permanent place of business. Does their telephone number on Google match? Read reviews online to get a feel for their history in the community.
It is important to verify references whenever you are considering hiring a commercial roofing contractor for any job. Checking the references of the contractors you are considering can help reduce the risk of working with incompetent or unprofessional companies, as well as ensuring that they have quality customer service and competitive pricing.
Asking the right questions when contacting references can help ensure that you make an informed decision about which contractor to hire.
When checking references for commercial roofing contractors, it is important to ask not only about their experience and expertise in roofing but also specific details about past projects they have undertaken and completed. Ask how long the project took from start to finish, what challenges were faced during the process, and whether there was any communication between them and their clients.
Be sure to inquire about their customer service practices and whether any problems or issues were addressed satisfactorily during the project. Finally, ask about the price of services offered and if they offer competitive rates that fit within your budget.
Utah offers a professional licensee lookup and verification system that is easy to access here.
It is important to ensure that your commercial roofing contractors are licensed and have the proper credentials for the job. This will ensure that they will be able to provide quality service while adhering to local building codes. Verifying a contractor's license can help you make sure that they are reputable, experienced, and legitimate. It also provides protection against potential legal liability if something goes wrong with the project.
When verifying a contractor’s license, it is important to contact the licensing board in your state or locality in order to confirm their credentials and find out any complaints that may have been filed against them. Additionally, it is important to review any contracts carefully before signing them so as to avoid misunderstandings about payment terms or other aspects of the project.
This is crucial. You do not want you or your business to be held liable for any accidents while your contractor is working on your property.
Make sure that you get in writing a line-by-line explanation of the scope of work prior to agreeing to a bid. Remember, the cheapest bid is not always the best.
Make sure to get in writing a set-in-stone timeline of the various phases of the roofing project. There is nothing worse than a roofing project keeping your business or tenants interrupted longer than originally planned. Make sure to ask if the work can be done outside of your business’s operating hours if possible (say, if your business is closed on Sundays). Verify the Warranty: Many roof material manufacturers will offer a limited manufacturer’s warranty, but will your roofing contractor warranty their installation? Ask for specifics because if it’s not written down, it won’t hold up in court.
Many roof material manufacturers will offer a limited warranty, but will your roofer warranty their installation? Ask for specifics because if it's not written down, it won't hold up in court.
These are just a few tips for navigating the bid and contract process when selecting a commercial roofing contractor. Don’t forget to consider the life expectancy of the material you choose when looking at multiple bids. Even if synthetic material costs more in the beginning, if it will significantly outlast asphalt, it could prove worth the cost difference. State Farm also offers some basic resources on choosing roof materials and evaluating key characteristics. Click here for more.
And of course, consider Rubicon for your next commercial roofing project. From start to finish or just on a consultancy basis, we can provide the insight and expertise to make your project successful for the long haul.
