Commercial Roofing: What to Expect

When researching a commercial roofing company for your project it is very important to do your homework. There are many factors to consider and evaluate before making your final decision on your contractor. Always get a minimum of 3 contractors to bid on your project.

Vetting Commercial Roofing Companies

Before even calling out a contractor, check to make sure they are a local roofing company and how well reviewed they are. It is important to ensure that they are licensed and insured. Check with the local BBB and view their rating, as this is where the most accurate consumer reviews are held. Be aware of storm chasers and so-called contractors from other states that will claim they are local. They get the job done, collect the money, and good luck finding them if you have any warranty issues. Now that you have qualified your 3 contractors ask each of them for references to do one final check on your contractors. Talking with past clients is a sure way of verifying the quality of their work.

The Commercial Roof Prebuild Process

Now the bidding process begins. Always make expectations of when you expect your bids back. A good contractor will have it back to you within 5 days, pending the complexity of the project. What you will find is all commercial roofing contractors have their own preference of materials and manufacturers. Meaning you could end up with 3 bids all using different materials and systems.

The best possible situation is to have a scope of work describing materials and roofing systems that the contractors could bid off. This ensures each contractor is bidding apples to apples. If you have done the research and have a preference of what type of roof system you would like, tell the contractor to bid accordingly. Most manufactures offer the same warranties and get inspected by the manufacturer's representative to provide that warranty.  

What Do the Roofers Need

Typically, the contractors will core your roof to see how many layers there are. By law, you cannot have more than 2 roofs on the structure. They will be looking to see if the roof has a structural slope or if it was created with a taper system. Commercial Contractors then patch the holes to prevent leaks. Measurements will be taken, notes on the roof’s components, and photo documentation. A good contractor will get all the information they need to go to the office and work up the bid.

Bids are now in, and it is time to review them. How many of us get a bid and before we read it, we go right to the cost? The low bid is not always the best deal. This is when the scope of work comes into play, which should be very detailed. It is important to take notice of every line item in detail. Often there are important aspects left out, causing one roofing company to appear at a lower price than the other. It should state that a city roofing permit will be pulled. The proposal should be written specifically for your project. Not a cookie-cutter format in which a few items have been changed to fit your project.

Questions to ask your Commercial Roofer

There are some specific questions you should ask before signing a commercial roofing contract.

• How long will my project take?
• What safety procedures will be put in place to keep the residents and crew safe?
• How much noise and smell will there be?
• How will they deal with debris coming off the roof? (This is very important when space is not available).
• Will there be always a representative of your company on-site? An important factor to have for communication and to quality control the job. The last thing you want is a crew doing whatever they want with no supervision. A temporary toilet should be on site. A good commercial roofing contractor will be able to answer these questions without hesitation.
• How will the roof be loaded?

Ensuring your Commercial Roofing System is up to par

You have selected your roofer and now the projects begin. Typically, the contractor will be asking for half of the money down. Be sure to hold the contractor accountable for what was written and what you are paying for. Hopefully, you are very pleased with your contractor. At the completion of the roofing installation, you need to be sure the city signs off and the manufacturer’s representative walks the roof for your warranty. If the remainder of the balance is due upon completion, these components are crucial. At times the paperwork is in from the rep to his company, but it takes a few weeks before you receive your copy. You should be comfortable with every aspect of your commercial roof. If not, withhold some of the balance until every aspect of the contract was fulfilled.