Commercial roofing contractors are responsible for installing or repairing the roofs of commercial buildings, such as retail stores and complexes, warehouses, and office buildings. Since commercial roofs come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from a wide variety of materials on a wide range of budgets, choosing the best commercial roofing contractor can be a daunting but important task. While there is no foolproof way to choose a commercial roofing contractor, following some basic business precautions can help ensure a quality roofing job.
One of the most important steps to ensuring a safe and professionally done roof is to make sure that the commercial roofing contractor is operating legitimately. Things that may indicate a legitimate status include a verifiable permanent address of the company, willingness to produce evidence of state and regional licenses, and a fair warranty program. Companies that balk at providing certification proof, or those that will not guarantee professional workmanship or materials through a warranty may not be true professionals. A professional company should be willing to provide legal information and happy to make a written proposal, since they have nothing to hide.
It may be important to consider the desired look and finish of a commercial building when choosing a commercial roofing contractor. While many contractors can provide a wide range of choices, some specialize in a specific type of roofing, such as metal roofing or shingles. If a commercial building needs to have a certain type of roof, question potential contractors about their experience with the material and ask to see pictures and examples of prior jobs with similar requirements. If possible, call prior customers to see how their roofing process went with the company.
Checking consumer review websites can be extremely important in determining which commercial roofing contractor to hire. While company reviews may contain information about how well the job was performed and if there have been any roofing problems, they may also contain valuable information about the ease and professional behavior of company representatives. In addition, reviews may give a clear idea about how accurate price estimates from the company have been in the past, a factor which can be very telling. Be sure to look for independent review sites that are not maintained or created by the roofing contractor; even reputable businesses will tend to post only reviews that reflect positively on the company.
For those concerned with environmental issues, consider looking for a green roofing contractor. These businesses specialize in using sustainably sourced materials and environmentally safe installation procedures. Be sure to question green contractors carefully about exactly what makes them environmentally conscious, since “green” can be a vague term and may be used simply as an advertising draw. A truly environmentally conscious company will usually be happy to provide information about their practices.
By Jessica Ellis