Do you own a commercial building? If yes, it is your duty to make sure that your commercial building roof is repaired and maintained in a timely manner.
Failing to do so can lead to heavy losses, penalties, or, in some cases, roof collapse.
That said, a damaged roof eventually causes serious and costly damage. Devastating effects include wood rot, damaged drywall and insulation, dangerous mold growth, and more, which can result from a minor leak.
Therefore, whether you own a company or have rented out your commercial space, you are responsible for maintaining the roof of the building.
The best way to repair your commercial building roof is by hiring a commercial roofing service provider.
However, how can you choose the best company, given the number of options in the market?
To find out, continue reading.
1. Check Experience and Expertise
The level of experience and expertise are among the most important characteristics that should guide your selection of a commercial roofing company.
That said, commercial roofing is more diverse than residential roofing, involving bigger-sized roofs, typology, and building physics. So, working with a company that has vast experience in the installation of commercial roofing will enable one to address certain issues that are likely to crop up during the project.
To check the experience and expertise of a company, you must know how many years the company has been working and what types of work they have done. A company that has been in existence for many years is able to demonstrate that they have delivered multiple projects in the past. This means that they can muster all the necessary skills and expertise that could enable them to handle different roofing problems.
Further, ask them about the specialization in materials that are used for roofing, such as TPO, EPDM, metal, and modified bitumen.
A contractor who has worked on a roof similar to the one you require will be more capable of achieving good results.
2. Verify License, Insurance and Certification
When considering a roofing company to work on your home, the company must have the necessary licenses and insurance.
Licensing ensures that the company complies with local laws and provides quality services as expected by the consumer. Thus, hiring a licensed contractor minimizes the chances of facing legal issues, and it also guarantees that your commercial building will be repaired legally.
Further, insurance is also vital as it covers each of the parties in the unfortunate event of an accident or any loss during the project period. Any good roofing company should have general liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance.
You must request insurance documents and authenticate the insurance details with the carrier.
Additionally, manufacturer and industry association accreditation is also useful in determining the level of professionalism and quality of a firm. For instance, if the company has certification from manufacturers of roofing materials such as GAF or Owens Corning, it shows that the company has been trained to repair commercial roofs and can offer warranties for their work.
3. Consider Reputation and References
Based on the experience that a particular commercial roofing company has in the market and reviews shared by various people, a lot can be understood about that particular company, from the quality of work done to customer relations.
You can begin with an online search of various review platforms, including Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While no company is ideal, repetitive remarks and many negative comments should call for suspicion. Therefore, focus on the reviews that discuss certain problems like ineffective communication, late delivery, or bad construction for instance.
Other than the reviews, consult the company to provide you with contacts of previous clients, preferably those who had similar projects as yours. It is worthwhile to directly communicating with previous customers and getting a clear picture of what to expect.
That said, you can inquire about satisfaction, the quality of work done, and whether the project was completed within the estimated time and cost.
4. Get Detailed Estimates and Contract Terms
A written estimate is necessary because it gives you a detailed account of the money needed for the services to be provided.
When making inquiries with several commercial roofing companies for roofing estimates, ask them to give you a detailed cost estimate, which includes the cost of materials to be used, labor costs, and costs of permits and other charges that may apply. It should also indicate the plan of work, when the work is expected to be completed, and how much and when the payment will be made concerning various uncertainties that may arise.
When you have reviewed the estimates and compared them, ensure the final contract has it all in detail. A detailed written contract helps to avoid possible conflicts and guarantees that both sides have clear expectations.
5. Know About Warranties
Warranties are crucial factors to consider when selecting a commercial roofing company. It sheds light on the satisfaction of the buyers and speaks volumes about the company’s confidence in the quality of the work that they render.
There are two primary types of warranties to consider: manufacturer warranties and workmanship warranties.
Manufacturer warranties deal with the roofing material and offer the homeowner indemnity against any defect in the material. On the other hand, workmanship warranties deal with the work done in the installation process.
Conclusion
Repairing the roof of your commercial building is vital for increasing its lifespan and ensuring good returns.
You can ensure this by hiring an experienced commercial roofing company. An experienced roofing company has a team of experts that provide quality service by repairing your roof in the best possible way. Moreover, they also provide you with warranties for their work.
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