There are over 109,331 roofing contractor businesses in the United States, a 1.8 percent increase from 2021. With so many commercial roofers to choose from, how do you know if the company is credible?
Without expert knowledge, it can be difficult to know what to look for or what to avoid when hiring a roofing company.
Besides, many people have friends or relatives who have had nightmares with contractors in the past. What can you do to avoid the same fate?
Asking a variety of questions will allow you to learn more about the services provided by a company and know whether they are a good fit for you. Before signing on the dotted line with a contractor, here are nine questions to ask.
1. How Long Have You Been in the Commercial Roofing Business?
Experience matters in roofing because resolving a lousy roofing job costs a lot of money. An experienced roofing contractor has worked with various roofing materials.
You can trust them to handle your roof well. Additionally, a more experienced contractor can handle unique roofing challenges.
A roofing company that has been in the business for a long time has an established reputation. So you will not have a hard time doing a background check on the company.
The company will also have an extensive portfolio. Hence, you have enough work to reference to determine their level of expertise.
2. Do You Offer Warranty Coverage?
A roofing warranty protects you from the costs of bad roofing. It is best to work with a roofing contractor that offers warranty coverage for various reasons.
First, it assures you that the roofer will do a good job. Second, you will not pay for faulty roofing out of pocket.
Before hiring commercial roofers, ask if they provide a warranty. If they do, ask them to give you a copy of the warranty for reference. Review the warranty details to ensure they are favorable.
A workmanship coverage warranty covers damages caused by installation or repair errors. A non-prorated warranty is also favorable since it provides full coverage for product defects.
3. Do You Have Manufacturer Certifications?
Some roof manufacturers train roofing companies on installing and maintaining their roofs. Such a roofing contractor becomes a certified roofer for a specific manufacturer.
A certified contractor is an expert at handling roofing systems for which they have certifications. Thus you can trust their quality.
Before hiring a company, ask whether they have manufacturer certifications. These certifications tell you whether they can handle your type of commercial roof.
4. Which Insurance Coverage Do You Have?
Working with an insured roofing company protects you from liabilities that may arise during roofing work. Worker\’s compensation coverage is a must-have for any roofing company.
Roofing involves working at heights, posing a considerable risk of accidents. A worker\’s compensation policy covers a roofer\’s treatment expenses if they get injured while working on your premises.
But if you hire an uninsured contractor, you are liable for any accidents that happen as they work.
During roofing, accidents may happen that result in property damage. For instance, a ladder may fall and break a window. Liability insurance coverage is necessary for such accidents.
A company with a liability insurance policy pays for any damages to your property that result from accidents.
Thus, you don\’t have to worry about extra repair costs to fix damages from roofing projects.
5. Do You Provide Written Work Contracts?
A trustworthy contractor should provide a contract with all the project details. A signed contract is legally enforceable.
You can trust a roofing contractor to fulfill their job if they sign a contract. Some details to look out for in a contract include:
- The type of work the project entails
- The materials to be used
- A detailed quote covering labor and material costs
- Information on warranties provided
- Project timeline
- Payment terms
Having a contract protects you from unwelcome surprises like hidden costs. A contract also helps you identify any unclear areas, so you can get clarifications before signing the agreement.
Do not hire a company that does not provide a written contract.
6. Do You Specialize in a Particular Roofing Material?
Commercial properties have varying roofing needs. A suitable roof for a warehouse may not serve an office building well.
Various factors determine which roofing type works for a commercial property. They include the size of a building, location, foot traffic, and climatic conditions.
A local commercial roofing company may understand the roofing needs of buildings in your area better. Still, it is best to hire a contractor specializing in many roofing types. That way, they can advise you on a material best suited to your property.
7. Can You Provide References?
A roofing company\’s reputation tells you if it is trustworthy. One way to learn about a company\’s reputation is by talking to former customers.
Ask prospective contractors to provide you with contact details of other businesses they have served. Reach out to those clients and inquire about their experience with the contractor.
Ask about the company\’s customer service, roof maintenance plans, and the quality of their work. You can also arrange a visit to former project areas and observe the company\’s work quality.
8. Where Are Your Offices Located?
It is best to hire a local roofing company. A local company is easily accessible, so you can visit their offices if you have questions.
Hiring a local company also helps you cut costs. A local company does not have to transport its equipment and staff over a long distance. They also work with local suppliers, so they charge less.
9. How Will You Protect My Property From Damage?
Roof installation, replacement, and repairs involve a lot of equipment and materials. You don\’t want roofing work interfering with business on your premises.
So before hiring a contractor, ask about the precautions they take during projects. This ensures you avoid disruptions and property damage.
Also, ask about property clean-up after the work and where they place their vehicles and equipment. Having this information ensures you work with a contractor that focuses on safety.
Hire the Best Roofing Company
The roofing company you choose for a commercial project determines whether the work goes smoothly. The best company also does high-quality work that preserves your roof\’s structural integrity.
The answers to the above questions should tell you what to expect from a roofing company.
If you want a roofing contractor that puts your business interests first, look no further than Yutzy Roofing Service. Contact us today for high-quality commercial roof restoration in Wausau, WI.
