Roofing is one of the most important aspects of any commercial building.
The roof protects your employees and customers from rain, snow, hail, and other extreme weather conditions. It also prevents water damage to the interior of your business. A leaky or damaged roof can lead to mold growth and structural problems that may require costly repairs.
This article will provide you with 12 detailed factors to consider when picking commercial roofers for your project. These will help you make an informed decision about which company is best for you.
Read on below to learn.
1. Insurance Requirements
All state and local building codes require roofers to carry insurance. The most common type is general liability insurance. This protects the property owners in case of injury or property damage on the premises caused by your contractor.
Do not hire any roofer that does not have this coverage, even if you want a cheap price. Remember that the cheapest bid may cost more in the end due to problems with workmanship or lack of legal protection.
You may not need this right away, but it is best in the long run if any unexpected problems or damage occurs.
2. License Requirements
Roofing contractors need to be licensed in the state where they work. You can check with your local building department to find out if they are properly licensed and insured.
If you are picking a national contractor, then check with the National Roofing Contractors Association for their license information. If you hire an unlicensed contractor, there is a very good chance that they will not perform any work. They may disappear from your property with all of your money without doing anything at all or causing significant damage.
3. Company History
Ask about the company history to learn more about how long the business has been around and how many projects they have worked on previously. A new roofing company that has just started operations might not have enough experience to properly ensure the work is done.
4. Company Customers Rating
A good company will have an A or B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This indicates that their customer service and business practices are above average compared to other companies in the same industry. If you see a roofing company with any grade below this, it is probably best to avoid them.
Some specialized roofing contractors may not be listed with this organization, so it is best to use other means of finding out how good they are.
5. Online Customer Reviews
The internet provides a wealth of information for consumers these days. Check out some customer reviews from sites like Yelp or Angie’s List to see what people have said about the company you are considering hiring.
If there are negative comments, please read them carefully before picking that contractor for your business project.
6. Experience Level
Try to find a roofing contractor that has been in business for at least 10 years. This shows they have enough commercial roofing experience to complete projects like yours without causing damage or other problems.
They may even be certified by specific industry organizations, which signifies their expertise and professionalism.
7. Financing Options
Make sure the company you are picking has financing options for your business. Find out if they can offer interest-free payment plans that match your budget requirements and fit inside your timeline.
8. Customer Service
Any reputable contractor should be accessible. Be sure to ask questions about their customer service options before you hire them for your project.
The best way to gauge a company’s customer service abilities is to contact one of their previous clients and find out how they handled any issues that came up.
9. Performance-Based Pricing
Picking a roofing contractor with performance-based pricing is always better for business owners. They are paid by the number of hours they work, which encourages them to keep their crews productive and efficient. It also means that any work not completed will be charged at a lower hourly rate than what you agreed upon in the contract.
And when looking into this factor, consider comparing roofing fees charged by different contractors.
10. Warranty Options
Other than a company guarantee, picking a roofer with warranty options is your best protection against any extra expenses in the future. Find out if they will give you an extended labor or material warranty to cover any defects that happen during installation or workmanship issues.
Many warranties cover defective installation and materials used, so you can submit a claim for that portion if something goes wrong. Some also provide full labor protection, meaning they will fix any problems without charging extra fees.
There are also third-party warranties that can be purchased separately to add more legal protections as well. For example, if a portion of the roofing project fails due to poor materials used by your contractor, then you would have some recourse, such as a refund for those sections only.
11. Material Options
It is best to choose a roofing contractor that offers many options when picking materials for your project. The more flexible they are, the easier it will be to get exactly what you want for your roof. A few different solid, tile, and metal styles should be available at a minimum.
12. Experience With Your Local Weather Conditions
If you are picking someone local with experience in your area, you know they can work well with harsh weather conditions like heavy snow or extreme heat and sun exposure. This means any work completed will hold up better over time compared to someone who does not have much experience working in those conditions.
Learn more about commercial roofing.
Picking Commercial Roofers Explained
Picking commercial roofers is not as easy as it may seem. However, after carefully reading the tips above, you should be better equipped to find one that matches your unique business needs.
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