After reading our Part 1 of our Due Diligence series (missed Part 1? find link to it below) you should have an intimate picture of a given contractor. This can help effectively rule-out those roofing firms that are unable to document the standards that ensure a quality job will be completed on your building and minimize risk and unforeseen expense (aka “Change Order hell”).
As a qualified commercial roofer they should be asking you a number of key questions to help focus the attention on addressing your needs:
1) Building Use
- a) What type of business (owner or tenant) occupies your commercial building?
- b) What is the specific use?
- c) Do you anticipate this use to change anytime in the future and if so, when?
2) Warranty
- a) What type of warranty is your company looking for and of what duration?
- b) Does your firm know the differences between a manufacturer’s NDL (No Dollar Limit) Warranty, a Material-Only Warranty and a contractor’s Workmanship Warranty?
3) Green Roofing and LEED Roofing Systems
- a) Is your firm concerned about the newest roof technologies, design integrity, roofing quality, and long-term maintenance to ensure roof performance or just price?
- b) Is your firm concerned about energy efficiency as it relates to a new commercial roofing system?
Now we’re at the point where a commercial building owner can be fully confident that they have sufficient information to make informed decisions about what type of roofing system best serves their needs and who is the best contractor to perform the work.
Training Programs
Contractor Training programs should not only include internal “on-the-job” training directed by skilled workers but should also be supplemented with additional certifications and outside training facilitated by industry organizations, manufacturer, or qualified training centers. A contractor should be more than happy to show you a document training program, certifications, or contact information for training facilities that are utilized by the company.
Bigger is not always better
Mid size companies usually have a more hands-on presence by ownership, as there are usually fewer layers of management. The owner usually has a higher interest in being sure that the work is done correctly since the buck has to travel a lot shorter distance until it falls at his or her feet. Although larger firms have more resources to apply to your project, smaller firms have the flexibility and willingness to tackle the small, knotty problems all roofs eventually face, problems that are not economically feasible for a larger firm.
Click Here for Part 1: Select Next Commercial Roofer