Friday, August 7, 2009

Part 4 -How to Hire a Commercial Roofing Contractor


Here are my final 5 tips to hiring a professional Commercial Flat Roofing Contractor.


Application expertise
Ask your contractor to provide a listing of the roofing manufacturers with which his firm has licensed or approved applicator agreements. This ensures that the contractor has received a minimum level of training in the system they are installing

Insist on a written proposal
This is fundamental. Always insist on a written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications. Be sure the proposal includes the approximate starting and completion dates, payment procedures, and any additional issues such as landscape damage prevention and debris cleanup.

Warranties
There are two basic categories of roofing warranties: the contractor's warranty, which covers workmanship, and the manufacturer's warranty, which covers (as a minimum) materials. Be sure that your contractor offers a warranty that covers workmanship. A manufacturer's warranty alone will not protect you if the roof is improperly installed. Carefully read and understand any roofing warranty offered and watch for provisions that would void it. Make sure you review a copy prior to signing a contract. The best warranty is one that covers labor and materials for the entire warranty period, is non-prorated, and is transferable.


Completed projects and in-progress site visits
Look for a company with a proven track record that readily offers client references and a list of completed projects that you can visit. Also consider visiting an in-progress project. This will give you a real insight into the company culture. Take a look at their equipment - Is it clean and well maintained? Look at the roofing personnel – are they wearing appropriate clothing and do they have safety gear? Are they well organized? Look at the project set up – does it look clean, neat and professional? Are there qualified English speaking supervisors on-site? Lastly, talk to the building representatives and ask them how their experience has been.

Provisions for on-site supervision
Have the contractor explain his project supervision and quality control procedures. Request the name of the person who will be in charge, how many workers will be required and the estimated time of completion .


So, there you go! In my experience following these guidelines will ensure that only the most qualified and professional contractors work on your project. Of course problems or issues might still crop up before, during, or after the project, but responsible and professional companies will do what it takes to make things right. That’s why they are professionals. Best of luck!

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