A roof is an essential part of any building; it protects your business from the scorching sun, unforgiving snow, and rain. It’s also one of the most expensive parts of a commercial building, mainly because of the material used and its sheer size. That’s why you just can’t trust the first person who shows up with a ladder and nail gun. You want an experienced Morrison roofer to build a functional roof that compliments the overall building design.
But you might be wondering:
How did these guys choose Morrison roofers over 100,000 registered contractors in the United States? Well, stick around, and you’ll know how to spot a great commercial roofer in no time.
Tip #1: Know the Experience Level of the Commercial Roofer
It’s easy to think that anybody who knows how to roof a structure can build a nice, durable commercial roof. You might even find a budding roofer looking to break into commercial roofing, saying how they can handle your project at the best rates. Don’t fall for it.
Putting together a commercial roof is not as easy as it may seem. The project requires robust materials for the unusually large spans, which translates to unique roofing styles and taxing technical requirements. For example, most residential houses get a wooden deck and asphalt shingles, while a commercial roof gets steel bars and spray-on-silicon.
A commercial roof is also slightly sloped or relatively flat, while residential roofs are generally steep. So, there’s a lot that could go wrong when hiring an inexperienced team for a commercial roofing project.
Tip #2: Ask for Referrals
A referral from friends, family, and neighboring businesses is one of the easiest ways to get a great commercial roofer for your project. Maybe one of them has had a commercial roof done recently, and they like the result. That gives you solid proof of the roofer’s experience, which means you can ask for a free quote with confidence.
As a rule, don’t jump on the first commercial roofer someone points you to. You want to make a list of several options like you would when hiring an attorney. This allows you to compare quotes, experience levels, and project delivery timelines. The last thing you want is to close the business for too long.
Tip #3: Ask About the Roofer’s Legal Documentation
Don’t be shy about requesting to see a commercial roofer’s license. This legal documentation certifies they’re running a legit business that is bound by state and federal laws. You also want to look for other relevant associations like a local roofing cooperation membership. This one shows the commercial roofer has connections in the industry, just in case they need to rent equipment.
Most companies will share their business identification number on their roofing websites. That allows you to run it through the local registry to see all the business’s publicly available information.
Tip #4: Choose a Commercial Roofer With 24-Hour Service
Unfortunately, some commercial roofers don’t prioritize repairs. If you have a small problem with a completed project, you might have to wait or seek help elsewhere.
While a commercial roofer might be busy most of the time, repairs are also part of the job. You want to engage a roofing company that offers a good warranty and has a proven track record of following up with issues. However, this is easier said than done.
Remember that a leaky roof can cause unimaginable damage to a business. Water can fry expensive equipment, causing downtime and huge losses. And, most manufacturers will not replace water-damaged electronics. That’s why you need to be extra cautious with the warranty.
Tip #5: Check the Company’s Project Estimation Process
Ideally, you don’t want a company that looks at a roofing plan and sends you a quote right away. This might lead to underestimation, which is never a good thing in any construction project.
Since you’re sourcing for a local commercial roofer, the contractor should come on-site to identify how big the job is. Usually, these types of jobs require demolition, and that translates to protecting neighboring businesses. In addition, some sites can only be worked on at night due to the commercial activities happening during the day. These are some of the factors that affect the final price of a roofing project.
Still, quotes are free, and the roofer doesn’t know if you’re going to hire them or not. So, don’t expect the roofer to solve all your design and accessibility issues during the first visit. The idea is to get accurate quotes so you can make an informed decision.
