How to Hire a Commercial Roofing Contractor

A commercial roofing contractor fixes and installs roofs on commercial buildings. Commercial roofing contractors can handle both repairs on existing roofs on commercial buildings as well as installation of roofs on newly constructed buildings. Commercial property owners usually hire roofing contractors to fix damage caused by water leaks, storms, fires, and similar events.

Commercial property owners whose roofs cannot be repaired or have sustained extensive damage can hire a commercial roof contractor to install a completely new roof. They are responsible for repairing or installing the roofs of commercial structures, such as office buildings, retail stores and complexes, and warehouses.

Since commercial roofs are available in various sizes and shapes and are made from many different materials, selecting the most suitable commercial roofing contractor can be challenging but it is important that you take the time to research the available commercial roofing contractors properly, in order to ensure that you hire one that provides a quality roofing job.

Recommendation

Get recommendation from people you know and trust. Let your family, friends and business associates know that you are looking for a reputable commercial roofing contractor and ask them if they can recommend one. Word of mouth works well when it comes to getting referral to a good service. Get a list of potential roofers and check their backgrounds before contacting any of them. You can research them by going online.

Review sites are useful and are designed specifically for helping people make an informed decision. Look for information pertaining to roofing repair services or contractors and read what the experiences of previous customers. It is important to keep in mind that most reputable roofing companies will have websites that indicate they have a good relationship to the city or community in which they work.

Background Check

It is important to ensure a safe and professionally done roof. This can be done by making sure that the roofing contractor is legitimate. You can contact the State Board of Professional Licensing and check to ensure that the contractor has the required permit to provide commercial roofing services. Check the contractor’s background by contacting the appropriate offices.

You can contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out if the company you’re considering has had complaints filed against them and how it was resolved. Contact your Chamber of Commerce to find out if they have any information regarding the reputation of the company. Commercial roofing companies who do not pass your investigation can be removed from your list.

Interview

Set up an interview with each roofing contractor. Create a list of questions to ask in advance. These should include questions about the contractor’s license, roofing experience, insurance coverage, cost estimate, and estimated completion date. Find out the type of material that will be used on the roof. Find out if the contractor will be willing to guarantee materials and workmanship. Get the contractor to put everything in writing.

Also ask for the contractor’s references and their contact details. A reputable roofing contractor will be happy to provide written proposal, legal information and customer references, since they are confident about their company and ability to provide quality services.

Choose

After you have interviewed and gathered all the information you need it’s time to make your choice. Do not base your decision on prices alone because the lowest price quote may not indicate that the roofer is the most appropriate for the job. Put more emphasis on the contractor’s professional experience and his willingness to work with you. Make sure you read the fine print you sign.

Take your time to read the contract and be sure you thoroughly understand what it outlines, and ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Consideration

Installing a new roof is an expensive endeavor, so it is wise to choose an expert and reliable contractor. Don’t feel pressured to select just any available contractor. It is important to research properly when hiring a commercial roofing contractor. It makes sense to hire a reputable contractor in order to ensure a satisfactory roofing job. So take the time to find the right commercial roofing contractor for your project.