5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Commercial roofing contractor project Birch Run Shopping Center

It’s a big responsibility to be a homeowner. Most homeowners remember that first home they bought and all the expenses that went along with it.

Being a commercial building owner or manager is a whole different job. There can be a lot of moving parts to this job. You might be building or maintaining the roof on one small shop, a whole shopping mall or factory, a high-rise office building or apartment complex, a cafe with rooftop seating, or a church building.

Your priorities are similar to that of a homeowner but could also be very different depending on what the building is used for.

It’s your job to choose a high-performance and high-quality roofing system. This is what will ensure that everything inside – valuable equipment, people, and other assets – are protected.

You are probably also working on a strict deadline and with a budget. So here are five of the main questions you should ask your potential commercial roofing contractor:

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Commercial Roofing Contractor

 #1: What are your credentials?

These are some of the most basic and important items to check off your list for a roofing contractor.

The contractor you choose must be licensed and insured to install commercial roofing. Licensing is a must-have to do business in the State of Michigan. However, insurance protects you as a business owner in case anything goes wrong.

A contractor also needs to be certified by the manufacturer of the roofing products to install the specific type of product needed for your project. Not every commercial roofing project is the same. That is why we’re experienced in many applications and products to fit your building’s needs.

#2: What’s your reputation?

I can’t stress enough that this company should come highly recommended by area business owners and managers. The price of the bid should not be the sole determining factor.

The commercial roofing contractor should be able to tell you how long they have been in business locally and provide references of satisfied customers.

#3: What is your experience?

Commercial roofing requires skill and knowledge of many types of products and applications, as well as the expertise to recommend the best products to suit the needs of the business.

Does your roofer know the latest technology in commercial roofing? This includes built-up roofing (BUR), modified bitumen roofing, single-ply roofing, and liquid applied roofing?

A commercial roofing contractor will know. In addition, they will check the local building codes for specifications.

#4: What’s your cost and what does it cover?

This number should reflect a few things:

  • The cost of materials
  • Labor costs
  • The cost of regular inspection and maintenance – you should know by the end of your meeting how the company prices these services and what is meant by maintenance.

#5: Have you done similar roofing projects?

An experienced commercial roofing contractor should know the ins and outs of similar roofing projects and how they’ve held up over time in your area.

He or she should be able to give you a seasoned estimate of how much maintenance you are looking at and whether repairs and maintenance are extra.

Additionally, he or she will be able to talk you through the manufacturer’s warranty and the labor warranty and tell you exactly what could nullify a warranty (such as not removing snow from your roof).

Conclusion

Just as with any building, a good roof is very important to the integrity of the building. Choosing the right commercial roofing company can save you lots of headaches and dollars.

If your building is located in the Southeast Michigan area, please give us a call. We are here whenever you need us.

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