Installing and caring for a commercial property’s roof can be more challenging than a residential roof. The large size of the roof always means you’ll need to invest more resources to achieve admirable results. However, without the touch of an experienced and reputable commercial roofing contractor, there may be certain disappointments. You need to pick an excellent roofer who can put your resources to good use for an admirable and durable roofing. Below, we’ll explore four practical tips for finding a reputable commercial roofer that can help you succeed in your next roofing project.
Start Searching Locally
Even at the commercial roofing level, a local roofing company is better placed to solve your roofing challenges more effectively than national or regional roofers. They understand the challenges posed by the local weather and will advise on the best materials to use to curb those challenges. They also understand local building codes and roofing regulations set by your municipality, which increases compliance and safety with every project they undertake.
With the complexities of commercial roofing, an incorrect installation can lead to significant issues down the road, ranging from people’s safety to warranty violations. Working with a local contractor also offers the convenience of visiting them quickly to review their work before hiring them. Their proximity to your project site will also come in handy in ensuring a seamless project flow and timely services.
Verify Commercial Roofing Experience
A majority of commercial roofers would claim to have the requisite expertise for your specific project, but only until you give a closer look at their previous work. You should look for contractors with a proven track record of working on similar projects as yours by checking images and testimonials of their past projects. Ask them about their experience with your type of roof and their knowledge of industry standards.
They should also excel at solving different levels of roofing projects, including installation, maintenance, and repairs. Seek to learn the exact challenges they’ve experienced in similar roles and how they addressed them. This will help you know their problem-solving skills beyond the usual successes in normal situations.
Confirm Certificates and Licenses
Verifying your commercial roofer’s experience is important, but even more important is to check if they have the requisite certificates and licenses needed for operation. Even if they have the general business permits and licenses, you should verify if they have complementary licenses specific to different projects. For example, some states like California require contractors to have licenses for projects exceeding $500. It’s important to confirm if your contractor has all the local and relevant licenses before entering into a contract with them.
Additionally, check if the roofer has all the necessary certificates needed for installing different materials. This is because the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) certifies different roofing company personnel, including crew leaders and workers, validating their qualifications as roofing personnel. If the company has workers with NRCA certification, you can trust that they will deliver remarkable quality work.
Check Their Safety Procedures
Roofing work generally involves significant safety risks to people and property, especially for big projects like commercial roofing. While some work-related accidents are inevitable, a reputable contractor should have effective safety standards in place to ensure every preventable safety hazard is covered. They should invest in proper safety training and certification to ensure their workers are always equipped with the skills to prevent safety risks.
You should also check if they’re in compliance with OSHA safety standards for construction sites, such as falls, and hand and power tool risks. The contractor should also invest in protective equipment for use on-site to keep workers safe during roofing installation or repair. A contractor who takes safety seriously would certainly do a good job, as this shows their level of interest in their business and the projects they handle.
Once you’re set for a commercial property construction, you should already know who will be doing the roof for you early on in the project. Efficient research on your next commercial roofer can save you from financial losses and construction hazards that are rampant in many disorganized work sites.
