It may not seem like it, but roofing projects are risky business, especially for commercial buildings. Unlike residential roofing, a commercial roof sits atop an operating facility, and can therefore be disruptive or even dangerous, depending on the type of facility. Roofing projects are also expensive and time-consuming. That is why proper planning is so important. If you want to spend your time and money wisely and not run into any snags along the way, you need to know how to make roofing projects work.
Here are some tips to ensure that your next roofing project is a success:
Reflect on Your Needs and Budget
As with any plan, you need to assess your building’s needs. What exactly has to be done? What kind of building are you location in? Do you have a pitch or is the roof flat? Depending on the answers to those questions, certain roofing materials are going to be better suited for your roof than others. You might also find that various roofing materials for low slope roofs might be more costly than others.
That is why you also need to determine a reasonable budget. Chances are there is a lot of area to cover, so you cannot shoot too low. Look up the average cost of a roof installation for similar roofing areas, along with the cost required to install the roofing systems you are most interested in. When you have this information, you can start drafting up questions to ask a professional.
Consider other costs, as well. You might have to pay for disposal of any existing roofing system along with the cost of labor, repairs, and so on.
Inspect The Roof For Existing Damage
Once you have figured out some options for roofing materials and a flexible budget, you should then think about the roof you currently have. You probably are endeavoring to get a new roof because something is wrong with it, but do you know exactly what went wrong and how much damaged it could have caused? If not, you should have an inspector come. The last thing you want is to put on a brand new roof without repairing existing issues.
That’s like putting wooden boards over a pot hole. It doesn’t really fix anything.
So, prior to discussing anything with a professional or buying anything, have someone inspect the roof. They will be able to see where the materials have been punctured, where the flashing may have peeled away from the roof, or where other faults have occurred. They can even figure out where water damage is coming from and give you advice on how to correct the issue before it gets much worse.
Understand Building Codes
A major part of the roofing process is complying to building codes. You must adhere to all local codes and also observe all the requirements sent forth, if you want the job to be done correctly and legally.
If you don’t know about codes, don’t worry. You can hire a professional roofing contractor who is well-versed in such things. The roofer will usually do the legal stuff for you or at least be able to tell you how to go about receiving the correct permits.
Have a Conversation
Since you are going to be partnering up with a contractor, you will need to have multiple conversations before, during, and after the roofing project. For example, contractors will want to know about the state of the current roof, the location and environment, and whether there are places to store materials throughout the duration of the project.
Since the project may end up being rather large, you may also have to reconfigure business operations, such as parking and traffic flow. Other times, contractors may need to adjust their work hours, depending on the nature of the facilities they are working on.
Meetings that take place before the project begins are also the best time to figure out how you will be communicating. You will be able to build up a rapport and exchange information so that everyone stays up-to-date with the latest events. Lastly, you must establish a timeline. Outline what steps are going to be taken over the course of the weeks needed to complete the roofing project. That will eliminate a number of questions.
Look at The Weather
One thing that many people overlook when having their roof repaired or replaced is the weather. Don’t forget that roofing is constantly exposed to the weather, so you will need to select a date and time when there will be clear skies. Otherwise, the contractor may have to postpone the project. Discuss options with your contractor.
Post-Installation Walk-Through
After the work has been done, the last important step is to go through the original contract with the roofing contractor and do a walk-through of everything that was done. It is essential to inspect the work to make sure everything is correct before the contractor signs off on the work and accepts their money.
Also, make sure the debris from the old roof has been cleaned up and removed. Tools should be gathered up, and any outstanding problems with the roof should have been resolved.
Making Your Roof Project a Success
Planning goes a long way in both business and roofing. Although it might seem daunting and risky in the beginning, once you know what you need, how much you can spend, and what has to be done to prioritize safety, you will be moving ahead with the roofing project sooner than you think. Now, put these tips to use!
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