Your commercial roof is the first line of defense for your building and its valuable contents. In view of this, we cannot overstate the importance of trusting your roof only to a licensed, experienced contractor who has the proper resources to handle any problem that comes up.
So many roofing problems are the direct result of work that was performed by an inexperienced person and not done to code. Building owners can avoid those problems by working with reliable, qualified roofing companies.
Choosing a Reliable Roofing Contractor
So, how do you find a reliable roofing contractor when it’s so hard to find someone good? What should you look for?
Here are some questions you should consider before hiring anyone to perform work on your roof:
- Is the company properly licensed and insured where required?
- Do they have a positive track record among their customers?
- Are their technicians professionally trained?
- Do they participate in reputable industry organizations or professional networks?
- What warranty coverage is available for the project?
- Do they follow appropriate safety practices?
- Do they have the training or certifications required for the products and systems they install?
- What workmanship warranty or guarantee do they provide?
- Do they have the experience and resources needed for your particular roofing project?
Before you shake hands and sign on the dotted line, make sure you are comfortable with the answers to these important questions.
A Nationwide Network of Commercial Roofing Contractors
Need the Best Local Contractor?
Our group works together to provide:
- Larger Base of Knowledge
- Group-Wide Accountability
- One Source for All Projects
- Set Standards for Service
- More Peace of Mind
Members meet the group’s current membership requirements:
- 3rd Party Training or Certification
- Proof of Insurance
- Professional Business Conduct
- Commitment to the Group’s Values
Members also benefit from shared knowledge, sales and marketing resources, professional connections, and the experience available through a larger contractor network.
Each member remains an independent roofing business. Members perform their own inspections, provide their own recommendations and estimates to customers, and perform their own roofing work.
Choosing a Commercial Roofing Company
Working with a contractor that participates in a larger professional network can provide access to broader knowledge and industry connections while still allowing building owners to work directly with an independent roofing business.
However, membership in Choice Roof Contractor Group is not a guarantee of a particular contractor’s workmanship or project results. Building owners should still evaluate the individual contractor’s experience, qualifications, proposed scope of work, insurance, applicable licensing, warranty terms, and suitability for the project.
To learn more or contact a member, visit the contact page on our website.
If you’re a commercial or industrial building owner in need of a new roof or looking to put up a new structure, it can seem overwhelming as you compare the many different types of commercial roofing materials available. How can you know which one is the best choice for your specific building project?
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roofing is commonly known as rubber roofing.
Thermoplastic polyolefin roofing, or TPO, is a widely used single-ply roofing option for commercial buildings.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, roofing is a reinforced thermoplastic single-ply membrane used on many low-slope commercial buildings.
A spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof is created by spraying liquid components that react and expand to form a rigid foam layer, which is then protected by a compatible coating or other protective surface.
Asphalt-based rolled roofing products are used in some low-slope roofing applications. Their construction and installation methods vary by product and roof system.
Acrylic roof coatings can be used as part of a restoration system on a variety of compatible commercial roof substrates.
To begin with, don’t lose your head over the prospect of a big job. Make sure you can handle the scope of the work. If you feel that you can, apportion your resources appropriately. In your quest for a big fish, don’t forget or neglect the “little guys” (your residential customers) who give you small but steady work. You may need them again later.
Whether you’re a veteran roofing contractor or new to commercial roofing, joining forces with a nationwide network of professionals can enhance your business in countless ways.
Rufus began working for various residential-focused contractors at the young age of 14. Later he started his own business and eventually landed his first commercial job, which was a 14,000-square-foot metal roof. After seeing how much better everything was, he began moving from residential to commercial roofing work.
For Rufus, the benefits of belonging to a professional network like Choice Roof Contractor Group have been manifold, including:
With the help of Choice Roof Contractor Group, Rufus has been able to build a very successful roofing business in a relatively short amount of time, experiencing success that many roofing contractors only dream of. He attributes a great deal of that success to his membership in Choice Roof Contractor Group.
Like any roof system, a flat roof can eventually develop problems that need attention. Drainage is an important concern because low-slope roofs must be designed to move water efficiently toward drains, scuppers, gutters, or other drainage points.
When your flat roof develops problems, it is important to address the underlying cause rather than relying on a temporary surface repair.
The following are some common contributors to metal roof problems that necessitate the immediate services of a knowledgeable roofing contractor:
Let’s face it—most people aren’t professional interviewers, and they aren’t professional contractor recruiters, either. So it may seem intimidating to choose a roofing professional to attend to your commercial building. But it absolutely, unequivocally matters whom you select to repair your roof—and the research you do before hiring a contractor matters a lot.
When you’re in need of commercial roof services, do you feel confident hiring a contractor? Many commercial building owners don’t, so if you feel at a loss when it comes time to engage a roofing professional, just know you’re not alone.
Hiring the wrong contractor can mean much more than shoddy workmanship—it can mean legal battles, the need to bring in other contractors, and ongoing roof repair expenses in the coming years to address the problems resulting from the initial poor workmanship.
Whether you’re a veteran roofing contractor or a new hand looking to break into the business, it can be difficult to find the right fit as you search among commercial roofing companies hiring new recruits. As with any job market, the available positions can be few while the applicants are plentiful. Also, keep in mind that there are many different kinds of commercial roofing skills for different systems. As you venture forth in search of the right job with the right company, keep some of these tips in mind to bolster your efforts.
When you’re job searching, the last thing you want to be is passive. Turn passivity into proactivity and make sure you stand out from the other applicants who are vying for the same jobs as you. For instance, don’t just mail in your resume—hand-deliver it to the companies you’re interested in, and, while you’re there, ask to meet with the hiring manager. Make the most of every opportunity to leave potential employers with a positive impression of who you are and what you could offer them as an employee.
The Internet has greatly changed the world of marketing, but there’s still much to be said for direct mail advertising rather than merely sending out literature. Research has indicated that direct mail can effectively connect contractors with potential customers and prompt responses when campaigns are properly targeted and executed.
Search engine optimization (more commonly known as “SEO”) is key for driving traffic to your website and getting your message in front of the right potential clients when they need service most.
Yes, door knocking works in commercial and it definitely deserves to be on this list. It doesn’t cost much more than your time and can work extremely well when done right. With the right approach, literature, clothing, and smile, you can create opportunities to speak with building owners and potentially walk more roofs.
Belonging to a nationwide contractors association like Choice Roof Contractor Group can also create opportunities for quality sales leads, professional connections, shared knowledge, and collaboration.
If you’re looking for support as you build your commercial roofing business, Choice Roof Contractor Group provides contractors with access to a nationwide professional network and a variety of resources. Benefits can include:
A warranty can sound great coming from the lips of a good salesman, and it’s easy to be lured into choosing one company or product over another because of long-term warranty claims. However, when you examine the fine print, you’ll find that, far more often than not, a warranty is crafted to protect the company, not the consumer.
Companies like to seduce consumers with flashy promises like “lifetime warranty” or “30-year warranty.” That language makes it sound like your roofing product is going to be guaranteed for a lifetime or for 40+ years, respectively—but is that really what it means?
Another thing to watch for in a warranty is whether it’s prorated or non-prorated.
Far too many roofing products are warrantied for much longer than they have existed. Be wary of a product that has only been on the market for two years, for example, but promises a 30-year warranty (even if the manufacturer has been around for decades). When you compare the results of a product being tested in a laboratory and a product being tried and proven on actual roofs, there is no comparison.
It is also crucial to check out consumer reviews for both the roofing systems and roofing contractors you’re considering. These days, the Internet is jam-packed with reviews that are easy to access, and they enable would-be consumers to learn from what others have already experienced with a certain product or contractor. It is simply unwise to blindly purchase a product or enter into a work agreement without digging into some background information first.
Some companies’ standards are also not up to par with the standards of other companies. Many roofing product manufacturers hold only brief, and certainly not intensive, training workshops before setting contractors loose on the world with their manufacturer’s stamp of approval. Reputable companies, on the other hand, hold in-depth, hands-on trainings for contractors to ensure those installing the company’s roofing products are knowledgeable and will install the products correctly.
The phrase “there is safety in numbers” has definite application to the world of commercial roofing. When you choose a private contractor, it can be a little bit like playing Russian roulette—you just never know if you’re going to get quality workmanship or reliable products. In contrast, when you hire a contractor who belongs to a nationwide association, there are myriad benefits and reassurances, such as the availability of a national pool of experts, group accountability, set service standards and a long track record of dependability.