When Hiring Commercial Roofing Contractors, is the Lower Bid Always Best?

Are you considering more than one commercial roofing bid? If so, you may not be aware that the lower bid might not be the most cost-effective decision.

It is crucial to hire commercial roofing contractors who will deliver both top quality workmanship and a superior product, at a fair price.

But how exactly do you make that choice? We will go over the most essential questions to think about when hiring a roofing contractor.

Who will your contact person be?

When hiring commercial roofing contractors, you should determine who you will be dealing with. Is the roofing company able to give you a contact person who is on time, polite, and quick to return calls? Does the company have someone with adequate experience to diagnose your roofing issue and provide an effective solution?

You want a point of contact who has your best interests in mind, not just your signature on a contract.

Do They Have Good References?

It is important to ask the roofing company for references and to call a few of them to verify the integrity and quality of the roofing contractor you are considering.

Any reviews that you locate that are less than stellar, consider how the company responded to the customer.

Did they offer to repair their work? Were they polite to the customer? There is a lot to be said in how a company treats customers with their complaints.

Furthermore, it is important to consider if the company has been recently sold or how long the company has been in business.

Do the Commercial Roofing Contractors Specialize in the Work You Need to Be Completed?

Commercial and residential roofing are two very different specialties. You must verify that your roofing contractor has experienced in the specialty of commercial roofing. Hiring a roofing contractor must never be an experiment. Choose a roofing company that has experience working on the same types of facilities like yours.

Check out some of their past jobs as well.

Were their clients happy with their work? Did they arrive on time, and how did they work with other specialists? Was the installation properly warranted and trouble-free?

Is the Contractor Licensed and Insured?

When searching for a roofing contractor, it is vital to always ask about their insurance and license.

Ask if they do background checks of their employees, monitor their field crew for safe behavior and quality workmanship, and conduct random drug tests?

A contractor should be able to provide proof of their insurance and license.

If they are unable to do this, walk away. If the contractor provides a certificate of insurance, take a few moments to contact the agency to verify that the coverage is in fact in force.

You do not want to be held liable for injuries, falls, or water damages on your property.

Can They Provide the Correct Roofing System?

Discuss your building with your contractor, including the interior summer and winter temperatures, concerns about protecting your business, assets, patrons, and employees, as well as the type of work done in the facility.

Various building uses and climates require different roof membranes, insulations systems, and flashing details.

Consider installing a cool roof in your building is in a warmer climate. You must deal with your cooling and heating costs over the long term, so determine if your roofing contractor can help reduce them.

There are many roofing materials available for commercial roofs – you will benefit in the long run with an experienced, honest roofing contractor who is helpful throughout the entire process.

What Type of Warranties is Available?

That is hard to answer, as warranties vary in what they cover.

An honest roofing contractor will provide their clients with a sample of a manufacturer’s warranty for their review. It is important to carefully read through it and ask the contractor any question you may have. Not all warranties are the same.

Keep in mind, just because one warranty states “20 years” does not mean it covers the same as another 20-year warranty.

Also. Avoid any warranties that are written by the roofing contractor, as a contractor usually will not have the resources to satisfy a significant claim.

Finding the Best Contractor

If any of your colleagues recently had their roof replaced, ask them which commercial roofing contractors they used.

If they were satisfied, contact the company for more information.

If they do not return your calls in a timely fashion, move on to a different company.