How to get the Best Roofing Deal in 2023

Commercial roofing is in very high demand in urban areas where business and commercial constructions thrive. Thus, competing roofing companies offer varying quotes on prices of new roofing projects. A new roof system is the largest exterior building component, a building element that is primarily built on-site, reliant on proper application for long-life expectancy, and is quite expensive as well. It comprises a number of separate components such as a deck, insulation, membrane, and flashings that must interact with each other in total synchronicity. An improper application of any of these components within the system may contribute to premature failure. It is for this reason, that the selection of a proficient contractor, is critical to the long service life expectancy of the system. Here are some factors to consider to help whittle down your list, and choose the right contractor for your roofing situation.

So how do you decide which roofing company is right for your project? Besides price you also need to consider a number of criteria such as the contractor’s reputation, the base of operation, ties to your community, their willingness to offer a quote, clarity on their terms, licensing, and warranty policies on making your first contact with a roofing company.  Their track record of quality work with the types of roofing materials that are ideal for the design and structure of your building, their base of operation, and their reputation among other businesses in your area will be the other influencers of your decision.

  1. Search Locally: To find a quality commercial roofer, choose a local roofing company in your area with an established reputation among the local businesses. This would ensure that your new roof is installed by a crew that understands the local roofing necessities. Not only that it will have its local reputation to uphold when it executes your project. Very often fly-by-night out-of-state contractors forage for new clients in new areas after a natural disaster knowing the desperation of business owners in the aftermath of such disasters. They will exploit the situation skimping on vital processes, leaving behind a poorly finished roof that could start leaking within months. When you choose a locally reputed and established roofing contractor your probability of getting a quality roof lasting its full life expectancy will be much higher.
  2. Check the Local Online Review Sites: The number of five-star ratings and positive reviews from their local clients will help you determine which local roofer offers the best prices, warranties, and working time frames, and is the most professional, reliable, and courteous.
  3. Check their Credentials and License Information: Though helpful, reviews do not reflect the true credentials of a roofer. They may well have been posted some years ago by a business that no longer exists! Have they executed any landmark projects in your locality such as shopping malls, schools, government buildings, or reputed housing projects? It is important to check their licensing as well on their local website. They should be forthcoming about this information on their local websites. If not, it is better to choose a more transparent contractor.
  4. Actual Cost: Cost is a top consideration and a determining factor in the roof purchase process. As against the traditional practice of awarding the contract to the lowest bidder which has a number of shortcomings such as inequality of bidders, inequality of materials and systems bid, and the fact that the lowest bidder may have made a mistake in the bid process that could ultimately jeopardize the quality of the work, the best practice of inviting equally qualified bidders is followed.Price can be the ultimate consideration when you have equally qualified contractors bidding on the same materials, system, and application procedures. You should also check the lowest bidder’s price to ensure that they have not missed anything in the bid process.
  5. Pre-qualify: If the contractors are being selected largely on the basis of cost, it is important to pre-qualify the contractors prior to the bid process to ensure that all contractors are equally qualified to execute the project. The bidding contractors should be nearly equal in experience,professionalism, and workmanship as far as possible.
  6. Scope of work: There are many types of roof materials and systems and different application methods such as recovery or replacement that can have an impact on the cost of the project. Hence a scope of work or design specifications that provide materials, systems, and application methods should be provided to the bidding contractors so that they are all bidding equally.However, if for any reason the scope of work cannot be provided, ensure that the contractors’ estimates include a detailed scope of work that provides materials, systems, and application procedures. Request the contractor to provide a proposed schedule with the bid estimate, that includes an estimated start time and estimated project duration. The schedule may become a prime consideration if the lowest bidder cannot start the project based on your needs.
  7. Financial strength: Request the contractor to provide you with the company’s financial records for a certain time period, preferably three to five years before 2023. Ensure that the contractor is financially stable and has adequate financial resources to complete your project. Financial strength becomes critical as the duration of the project increases. A contractor’s inability to complete your project can prove costly as hiring another contractor midway is nearly impossible. Because new contractor would not like to assume risk or take responsibility for any work that was done by the previous contractor. Under these circumstances, a manufacturer may also not provide a warranty.The contractor should also provide a financial list of references including its main suppliers such as material manufacturers, disposal services, equipment companies, and distributors. These suppliers dealing with them on a regular basis can provide you with the best analysis of their financial strength.
  8. Experience and history: Experience is an important assuring factor as the very fact that a company is well established in business for a certain number of years proves that it has been providing quality workmanship. Does the company actually have the history indicated in its marketing materials? Has the ownership and management been consistent or has the company been acquired recently? Has it been operating under the same name and tax identification number? Are there any filings of bankruptcy or delinquent taxes in its history? These are some questions you would need to ask while making your choice.
  9. Service record: Gone are the times when roofing contractors had bad service records. The year 2023 is upon us and the economy, competition, and professionalism in the industry have changed the scenario. Ensure that the company has a separate service department that fixes leaks, makes minor repairs, and conducts maintenance on completed roof areas after the project especially if a warranty is provided.To keep the warranty valid, most manufacturers require that the owner conducts annual maintenance of the roof system. It is beneficial to you if the actual installer is the company maintaining and repairing the roof after completion. For, in such cases, the company has a vested interest in its long-term performance.Obtain the contractors’ service rates and response time upon reporting a leak,during the bid process. It should be immediate, or at least within 24 hours.
  10. Track record: Contact the references provided by contractors of successful projects. Their satisfaction with the contractor’s work and the contractor’s response time to problems when reported are some factors to consider. Contact the roofing manufacturers that the contractor is certified with to provide insight into their response to problems. Check for complaints against the contractor with your state’s Better Business Bureau or Department of Professional Regulation.
  11. Safety record: Due to the hazardous nature of the work, safety is critically important for roof projects. Ensure that the contractor has an established safety training program, all on-site roof mechanics are properly trained,and a safety talk is completed daily, prior to the work day,to review all safety requirements.Your insurance company or your organization’s management may also require the details of your contractor’s safety procedures.
  12. Insurance coverage: Request the contractor to provide a current Certificate of Insurance and ensure that the insurance coverage is in effect throughout the duration of the project, and is in compliance with the requirements of the state where the facility is located, and your own. The general liability, the workman’s compensation, and coverage in case of damage to the building, the landscape, and interior contents are important coverages to review.
  13. Licensing and certification: Ensure that the contractor is properly licensed to complete work in the state where the facility is located, the license is up to date, and the contractor has completed annual training to maintain the license. This information can be acquired through your state’s department of professional regulation or licensing board.The contractor must provide a list of all roofing manufacturers’ materials and systems that they are certified to install. They must complete special training, have extensive experience installing the products prior to certification, and complete extensive due diligence into the contractor’s finances, experience, and quality of work prior to providing certifications.
  14. Final bid phase:The final phase in the bid process will be the pre-construction meeting. For a successful conclusion of the pre-construction meeting, it is important to define the project requirements and establish the lines of communication between you and the contractor. The contractor should have their project manager, superintendent, and foreman present at the meeting. Discussions should include project schedule, set-up areas for material and equipment, interior protection, working hours, plans to work in occupied areas, and contact information for personnel when there is a problem.

Conclusion: The ideal roofing company for you is more likely to be one with longstanding ties to the businesses in your community or your area. A well-rated independent local contractor who has earned a reputation based on solid, consistent roofing work on schools, companies, and other public buildings in your area. While a franchise relies on its national reputation or name recognition and due to the lack of any measurable across-the-board standards,it could get away with doing a substandard job. Hence, following the tips above can help you seek a quality roof system in 2023, that is completed at a fair price by a professional roofing contractor.

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