How to Select a Roofing Contractor

Finding an outstanding commercial roofing contractor.

Because purchasing a new roofing system is an important, often costly, and (hopefully) infrequent investment, you want to be sure you select a highly qualified, professional roofing contractor with well-established affiliations, references, and qualifications for your roofing project.

When researching and evaluating roofing contractors, it is important to ask the company to provide the following:

1. A permanent address, business license, and local or long-term employees. It is to your advantage to hire a company with local and/or long-term team members because it increases the likelihood that the company and its employees understand the roofing needs for your particular climate, as well as the laws, rules, and regulations of your community concerning building permits, debris removal, and so forth.
2. Evidence of affiliation with local, state, regional, or national industry associations. This indicates that the business you’re looking at has access to information and education concerning the most up-to-date industry-related issues and developments.
3. A thorough knowledge of the various types of roofing systems and materials available today, as well which specific type of roofing system will work best for your particular building, budget, and long-term needs.
4. A commitment to the ongoing education and safety training of its employees and crew members.
5. Proof of insurance, including workers’ compensation and general liability coverage that extend throughout the duration of your project.
6. Proof of compliance with state requirements for being licensed and/or bonded. You can check with the state department of professional regulation or licensing board for this information.
7. Evidence of financial stability, including current financial information or references from a financial institution or auditing firm.
8. Affiliations with roofing manufacturers and, in particular, approved applicator agreements with manufacturers of roofing systems and materials to insure the contractor has the knowledge and expertise needed to properly install various products and roofing system components.
9. Warranties for roofing projects, including the contractor’s warranty (for the contractor’s workmanship and installation) and the manufacturer’s warranty (which covers materials).
10. A portfolio of projects completed and customer references, including a list of clients you can contact directly to ask about project satisfaction, quality of customer service, crew courtesy, site cleanup, and so on.
11. A clear demonstration of quality control procedures and project supervision, including the name of the on-site supervisor and contact information for your main point person.
12. A comprehensive written proposal that includes complete, detailed descriptions of the work proposed; specifications; approximate starting and completion dates; payment terms; site cleanup procedures; and other such information.
13. A maintenance program, including periodic inspections, to ensure your roofing project complies with the standards specified in the warranty. The periodic inspections generally include a detailed visual examination of the roof system, flashing, insulation, and related components to identify any potential trouble areas.
14. Perhaps most critical of all, you should feel comfortable with the key people you will be interacting with throughout the duration of your project, as well as with the qualifications, experience, and expertise of the company you are considering hiring for your roofing job.

We would be pleased to show you how Pinnacle Roofing Systems is exceptionally qualified to meet all of your requirements for high quality, long-lasting roofing, re-roofing, or roofing maintenance and repair solutions.

Source:
Your Guide to Selecting a Qualified Roofing Contractor. WSRCA. 10 March 2008. http://www.wsrca.com/.