Signs of a Good Commercial Roofing Contractor

While it is nice to complete do-it-yourself projects, some projects require the assistance of a professional. Roofing projects can be one type of undertaking that can get you in over your head. When projects become complex, it is essential to find the right partner to help tackle it.

A commercial roofing contractor can help with timeline, budget, and replacement. It is necessary to identify a reliable contractor to ensure your expectations are met. Some of the questions covered here are a great step to determining if you have found a great contractor.

Are they competent?

Quality materials and workmanship are necessary for a long-lasting roof. Roofs are expensive and need to be built to last. A reliable contractor will emphasize high-quality materials, crew skills, inspection, and maintenance. If your contractor can adequately speak to these elements, it will be a sign of a competent contractor.

Are they capable?

What is your vision for your roofing project or replacement? You need to find a contractor who is capable of executing your vision. You can look at a contractor’s portfolio to have an idea of the designs they have executed in the past. Have they handled a similar project in terms of size and scope? Experience and past projects is an excellent indicator of a contractor’s capabilities.

Do they have references?

It would be great to know how a project will play out, but it is impossible to predict. A great indicator of future projects is an assessment of the past. A reliable contractor will be able to provide references to answer questions about the ability and quality of projects. Always check through references and past clients to answer questions.

Are they available to do the job?  

What is your ideal timeline? It will be important to determine if the commercial roofing contractor can start and finish the project in the right time frame. The roofer is responsible for meeting deadlines, and you should express expectations upfront. Clear expectations around timeline and availability will lay the foundation for a partnership before signing onto the build.

Is the bid reasonable?

After sharing your vision and timeframe, an experienced designer will be able to give you an expected cost. It is important to follow-up on the bid to make sure it is reasonable within the current market. This might mean asking for multiple bids and comparing each. Be cautious with extremely low or high bids that seem odd. You should expect to pay more with quality and experience when it comes to roofing. An expensive bid is not an indicator of quality, though, which is why the other questions on this list matter.

Will they stick to the budget?

Once determining the budget, you want to make sure the contractor will stick to that budget. This is accomplished through due diligence and adequate pricing in the bid. The contractor should get construction specs early on and set a budget based on specs and potential issues — the more experienced a company, the more accurate the budget and final price.

How is communication?

As you navigate the sales and bidding process, take note of communication as an indicator of what communication will be like during the actual project. A successful project hinges on communication between the owner and professional staff. The contractor needs to be responsive, accessible, and able to communicate through written and printed materials.

Are they enthusiastic?

Believe it or not, excitement is important for a commercial project. If the contractor does not seem to have the time of day for you, they may not be the business you want to work with. A good contractor will be excited to tackle new projects and passionate about their work.

Final Thoughts

Finding a collaborative partner for a roofing project is a huge undertaking for any business owner. Take the time to find bids and perform due diligence in determining if the contractor is the right fit for your business. This is the time to ask questions and look for red flags as you look to bring your vision to life with a long-lasting roof.