You may be looking to install a new roof for your commercial building or have an existing roof repaired. The job should be done right the first time. Your roofing contractor must provide you with all the right options. They should follow industry standards and safety regulations. They should be fully licensed, insured, and be experienced. So how do you choose the perfect commercial roofing contractor for your project?
Consider these 3 factors during your search and you will be able to find the right contractor.
1. A Local Roofing Contractor
It is always better to choose a local roofing company that meets your custom needs and fits into your budget. So what are the advantages?
- Access to Local Knowledge: A local roofer will know the local area and can help you decide which roof types can be perfect for your building. They know the local weather conditions better.
- Hands-on Experience: Their managers and owners are more likely to frequent the job site and ensure that everything is done properly.
- Easier Accessibility: If you have any queries, your local commercial roofing company team will be easily accessible.
- Accountability: It will be easier to claim workmanship warranty from a contractor that is local and easily accessible.
2. Check Credentials
A roofing contractor, whether commercial or residential, must always be licensed and insured. Ensuring that they have a license to operate, are fully-insured, and are certified and well-trained will help protect your business from damages.
So what are the minimum credentials to look for?
City License
Ask them if they have a valid Municipal License to operate in your area. A Municipal Licensing and Standards Commission means that the roofing contractor has been checked and validated for the following:
- Criminal background checks have been conducted on them
- They have been known to maintain contractor accountability in the areas of contractual agreements, warranties, and conflict resolutions
- They follow by-law standards and local building code
- They maintain high standards of work ethics
The license will outline the different works that they are allowed to do in the area.
Liability Insurance
Your commercial roofer must have a liability insurance policy. This type of insurance protects both you and the contractor from any property damage to your home or the surrounding properties. Remember, insurance coverage can vary based on the policy. So you may want to know a little more about how well your interests are protected:
- Some policies cover only sloping shingle roofs and repairs and not flat roofing
- Some policies may not cover the work with flat roofing tools like open flame torches
- If you are hiring a roofer to install a flat roofing system, they must be covered for torching, welding, open flame, and brazing
Such additional coverage costs more and not all contractors are likely to have it.
Workplace Safety Insurance
You should further check whether your commercial roofing company has the compulsory Provincial workplace safety insurance or not. It will cover their workers when they work on your property. This insurance protects everyone’s interests, including:
- Your business
- Roofing contractor
- Workers
3. Experience
When it comes to the roofing business, there is no substitute for experience.
- Check the number of years a contractor has been in business
- Make sure they have experience in installing or fixing your type of roof
- Experience provides them with the knowledge required to deal with different types of situations that may arise when repairing or installing a roof
Once you have evaluated a number of commercial roofing companies based on these factors, check their online reviews. Feedbacks from existing and previous clients can provide you useful information in deciding which contractor is best for you. You can gain valuable insights about the company’s reliability, experience, customer service, market reputation, and service quality.