What to Look for in a Commercial Roofer

February 17th, 2015

flat-commercial-roofing

Your commercial roof is leaking and you’re in a panic.  Calm down.  Even if you’re in a rush to find a good commercial roofer, you want to take some time to pick somebody who is qualified and has a history of doing great work.  So, before we move on to what to do in an emergency situation, let’s take a few breaths and talk about what to look for in a commercial roofer.

The Best Commercial Roofers

The best commercial roofers will offer a number of important qualities, namely knowledge, craftsmanship, integrity, and timeliness.

Indeed, good commercial roofing contractors are knowledgeable.  They know a lot about the different kinds of roofing systems and the products that make or break them.  Whether you’ve got all the time in the world, or you’re looking for a roofer in a pinch, quality roofing contractors are effective at every stage of the project from quoting and planning to executing and completing your roofing project.

Moreover, good contractors do good work.  If you have the time, you want to speak with potential contractors and ask them for references for their work.  If you can inspect their body of work, you’ll be more confident that they provide quality craftsmanship.  If you’re in a rush to find somebody now, start calling colleagues, family, and friends to find somebody that they know to do excellent work.  After all, those individuals with personal relationships with you are going to be more likely to point you in the right direction.

Integrity is another important quality in a roofer.  You want to know that your roofing contractor is going to do the best work for you as the client, even if it means costing him or her time and money.  Obviously, we’re all interested in making a buck, but the best roofing contractor will give you accurate advice, even if it means their project profit is diminished.

Finally, timeliness is crucial.  You want your roofer not only to get projects done on time, but you also want them to be available to you in times of crisis.  Whether you’re talking about getting a roofing project completed before the inclement weather arrives, or knowing that your roofer is available to respond in an emergency – the best roofing contractors are available to you and they’re on time.

You Need Somebody NOW

Ok, so your roof is leaking, and you’ve calmed down, but that hasn’t stopped your roof from leaking.  You want to start contacting commercial roofers based on personal referrals or even from a list of quality contractors in the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  You’re also likely to find online reviews for local commercial roofers that can help you find somebody that you know embodies the qualities we discussed above.

Some tips for you:

  • Avoid pushy sales tactics and choose a contractor that tries to get valuable information about your roof and your leak.
  • Call at least a couple of contractors and choose the one that seems to have your interests in mind.
  • Check for credentials – quality roofers will be highly ranked by the BBB or may be a member of a professional association such as the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association.
  • Choose a contractor that has been in business at the same address for an extended period of time (10 years or more) as this helps to establish their commitment to the community and by extension the quality of their work.
  • Choose a roofer and build a relationship so you know you have somebody you can trust for future work – emergency or not!

Related: 

Residential roofing: http://www.k2roofing.com/roofing-services/residential-roofing/