When it is time to repair or replace your roof, you may have many questions and concerns. A project of that magnitude can be expensive, and you want to be sure that the job is completed properly with the highest quality materials available. RGB Construction, a GAF Master Elite Certified Contractor, offers these suggestions for what to ask your roofing contractor before you sign on the dotted line:
Are You Licensed and Insured?
It may surprise you to learn that there are quite a few roofing contractors that are not licensed or bonded despite the fact that most states have laws requiring them to protect you from liability. Your roofing company should have commercial liability insurance that will protect you if something is damaged or there are safety concerns. In addition, the company should have insurance that covers all of its employees. Never hesitate to ask to see a roofing contractor’s business license or a copy of their insurance policy. One of the main reasons you want a company that is licensed is that they will be familiar with the building codes in your area as these codes change from county to county and city to city.
Will You Hire Subcontractors?
Not all roofing contractors have full-time employees, or they may only have a handful, using subcontractors to complete a majority of the work. If the roofing company uses subcontractors, each of them must be separately licensed and insured as well. Roofing companies use contractors when they have multiple projects going on at once. However, they may also need to bring in someone with ES-1 certification, an American National Standards Institute requirement for materials designed for high winds and storms.
Can You Provide References?
One of the most important things to do when hiring a commercial roofing contractor, according to RGB Construction is to ask for references. Be sure that they provide you with references for their commercial roofing customers and not just residential as commercial roofing has different requirements than a residential roof. The biggest mistake many people make is not actually calling the references once they are obtained. You will want to ask how efficient the technicians were, how knowledgeable and if the job was completed to the other customer’s satisfaction. Also, keep in mind that it is likely a roofing contractor will provide you with customers who are satisfied, so you may need to search online for reviews to see what customers who did have issues have to say. Having a bad review does not indicate it is a bad company, but how they handle that review will indicate how they deal with mistakes or oversights.
Why Should I Hire You?
There is a multitude of roofing companies, many licensed and insured, so one question to ask is why you should choose one particular commercial contractor over another. Look for the answers that meet your needs. For instance, they may focus on environmentally-friendly materials or they may have decades of experience in commercial roofing. Their prices may be much lower than other companies using the same materials. Before asking this question, have an idea of what is important to you in a roofing company.
Can You Recommend Roofing Materials?
Commercial roofing is not the same as a residential roof. Each roof must be designed based on the type of building and even the type of business that will be inside the building. If the roof is flat, it will have different requirements than a sloped roof. In some cases, metal may be a better option than modified bitumen. Your roof may also have building components like air conditioning units or heat vents that must be taken into consideration when choosing materials. A good commercial roofing contractor will be able to tell you which roof is the best option not only for your building and business but also for the weather in your area.
How Fire-Resistant are the Materials?
One thing you definitely do not want to have to happen is your roof catch on fire. Therefore, ask your contractor how fire-resistant the materials that they will use on the roof are. Keep in mind anything can spark a fire, a spark from an air conditioning unit, a cigarette dropped by a maintenance person, or even lightning. Even materials that are rated as fire resistant, however, may not be fireproof. You want to ask the contractor how long it could take fire to spread to other parts of your business as well as what methods should be used to put a fire out quickly.
Can I Just Repair the Roof?
It is possible that your commercial roof can simply be repaired and does not need to be replaced. Ask the contractor to perform a thorough inspection of the roof to determine if a repair will resolve any issues you are having. If the inspection finds too many problems or the cost to repair it would be higher than a new roof, they will recommend replacement.
What Type of Maintenance Program is Available?
Some roofing companies offer maintenance programs after they install a new roof. This means the company will return to regularly inspect your roof and repair any issues they find. The maintenance program will likely be offered at a discounted price since you purchased the new roof from the company. This may also help preserve your warranty should any defects be discovered after the roof is installed.
If you are considering a new roof or feel your roof is in need of repairs, contact RGB Construction today to see how our team can help. You can schedule a no-obligation consultation by calling 856-264-9093 or filling out the easy online form today.
