4 Tips for Hiring the Right Commercial Roofing Contractor

commercial roof
Commercial Roofing
Commercial property owners need to choose qualified contractors to assure the roof protects their business. Roof leaks and moisture damage will quickly compromise the integrity of a commercial building or housing property. Learn about crucial criteria in order to choose the right roofing contractor for your commercial investment.

1. Check roofers' credentials.

The first step to hiring a commercial roofing contractor is to vet potential clients to ensure they follow the best business practices.

Contractors should have a well-established history in your area, be properly licensed and bonded, and focus on customer satisfaction.

Always check the following:
 

Contractor's History

Hire a contractor that has years of experience. Newer companies may be talented, but to ensure the best for your property, choose a contractor with a proven track record.

Proper Licensing

Double-check that the commercial roofer is legally licensed to work in your area and perform the work.

Bonded and Insured

Your chosen commercial roofer should be bonded and up-to-date with insurance – both liability and worker’s comp. If they are not, you may be financially responsible for damages to property and body during roofing installation, repair, and replacement.

Testimonials

Check up on recent clients your preferred contractor has worked for. Make sure their recent work reflects the scope of your needs.

Find a qualified commercial roofing contractor

2. Choose a centrally managed contractor.

Whether you’re hiring a commercial roofer for one large project or looking to establish a long-term relationship, look for a company with the resources, service consistency, and communication assets that will benefit you the most. 

Resource management

A properly managed team of commercial roofers should all be permanent employees. Sub-contractors may be a red flag. Permanent employees are trained uniformly, which ensures repeatable and superior results.

Consistency

You can expect uniformity and consistency from a centrally managed contractor. This is essential for time management and maintaining a steady maintenance contract for multiple properties. 

Dedicated Contact

Time is valuable and should be respected by your preferred commercial contractor. Hire a professional that provides communicates and is able to answer questions, report issues, and keep you informed on the process. 

3. Go through bid selections.

After you’ve asked some basic questions and done your research on some potential contractors, solicit several bids before making a selection. Whether the bid process is done formally or casually is up to you, but be sure to ask for the following information for each contractor.

Ask for documents.

Ask contractors for documents that clearly show the contractor has a thorough understanding of the purpose, service, scope, and objective of the roof project, including:

  • Statement of work, legal terms, and conditions
  • Detailed schedule outlining major installations and critical elements of the project
  • Site diagram showing where construction activities will take place on the property
  • Strategic plans for testing quality control, material delivery timelines, storage, and installation milestones
  • Plans for bad weather that may alter the project’s schedule

Place a priority on safety.

In addition to a detailed plan of material delivery, installation timelines, and plans for the unexpected, a qualified roofer will clearly outline their focus on safety. 

Contractors should be able to provide the following:

  • Verification of a designated, qualified safety representative who is responsible for safety management and is on-site during the project
  • Compliance with all OSHA requirements, including roof work and fall protection
  • Written program for any flame-involved process to protect against fires during the course of the installation
While it may be tempting to go with the lowest bid, all of the above should be considered in the decision-making process. It's crucial when evaluating bids that the commercial property owner has a clear understanding of the capabilities of the potential contractor and the contractor fully understands the parameters of the job.
 

KEEP READING:

4. Invest in a roof service contract.

commercial roofing contractor with torch

After you’ve done your research and have chosen a qualified commercial roofing contractor for your project, it’s generally a good idea to invest in a service contract with your commercial roofer.

Commercial and industrial roofs are large, complex systems that require diligence and regular maintenance.

Check these service contracts for the following:

Compare costs with experience.

Paying for regular maintenance can be a smart investment, but not if the contractor is unfamiliar with the process. Double-check a contractor’s references to assure they’re proven in the art of maintaining a commercial property.

Determine length and regularity.

How long does the service contract last? Determine if the contractor will inspect the roof annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Get the details of the service call in writing.

Find out what is covered.

Does this maintenance contract cover interior inspections or just exterior problems? How many properties does the contract service? Iron out exactly what is to be expected when the contractor performs these inspections.

Paying the cost of a maintenance contract each year is a smart investment and is a small price to pay to ensure your building is safe and sound. 
 

At Hometown Roofing Contractors, we'll match you up with the best commercial roofing contractor for the job. Businesses can research all kinds of contractors, see what other customers have to say about their services, and request multiple quotes.

Find a qualified commercial roofing contractor

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