subject: Hiring the Right Commercial and Industrial Roofing Contractor For Your Needs [print this page] Hiring the Right Commercial and Industrial Roofing Contractor For Your Needs
Purchasing a new roofing system for your existing metal roofs is no small investment. It is an important investment that should take thought and consideration before choosing the right industrial and commercial roofing contractor for your needs. Before you spend your money, spend your time learning how to evaluate the roof contractors you may be working with. Not all roofing companies are alike and there is no foolproof method for selecting a professional roofing service. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) gives consumer a few tips to consider before settling on one roof company.
The first thing to do when looking at a roofing contractor is verify a permanent place of business. Things to look for include a telephone number, a tax I.D. number, and a business license. Any professional roof service should have these readily available. Once you have verified they are legit, ask for proof of insurance. It would be wise to check both their liability coverage and their workers' compensation certificates. When looking at their insurance coverage, be sure to check their coverage dates. You want to make sure their coverage runs through the duration of your roof restoration project they would be doing for you. If you fail to check their dates and something happens while they were not insured, building owners may be held responsible for accidents that occur on the property or dragged into litigations.
From there you want to make sure the roofing consultants of your interest are properly licensed or bonded. Your state's Department of Professional Regulation or Licensing Board will have this information. It may also be beneficial to you to call your local Better Business Bureau or Department of Professional Regulation and ask about any complaints filed against the contractor.
A good commercial roofing company is one that can provide its potential customers with a readily available list of client references and a list of completed roof coating projects. Calling some of the clients on their reference lists can give you a good idea of the quality of work performed as well as the professionalism of the company. Be sure to look for a company with a proven track record that is financially stable as well. They should be able to provide you with their current financial information.
Once you have narrowed your search down and are asking for quotes from various roofing services, be sure to insist on a written proposal that you can examine for complete descriptions of the work, the roof coatings and specifications, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures. You may also be interested in knowing about the companies roofing specialists who will be performing the work. It is important to know their safety record and the safety training they receive. Be sure to choose a company that is committed to the safety and education of its workers. The company should also be able to explain their roof systems, quality control procedures, the name of the person who will be in charge, and how many works and the amount of time it will take to complete the work.
As a final note, be sure to carefully inspect the roof warranty that is offered. Watch for any provisions that would void it and ask any questions you may have regarding their warranty and future commercialroof leaks or commercialroofing repairs. A positive to look for in a roofing company is one that offers its customers some form of a yearly roofing maintenance agreement on top of their warranty. With a roof maintenance agreement, it should address any roof leak concerns and the roof repairs that would be covered before you have a leaking roof.
Keep in mind the saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," when choosing the lowest bid. Many commercial roof contractors can come off as attractive professionals with their below-cost bids, but many of them are often uninsured and perform substandard work. Price is only one of the criteria for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily on your decision in hiring the right commercial or industrial roofing specialist.
