When protecting your commercial building or facilities, choosing the right technology or system and knowing the right questions to ask when selecting a roofing contractor are equally important.

Our decades of experience in the roofing industry have allowed us to recognize the nuances between different contractors. We’d like to share our insights to help you know what questions to ask when selecting a roofing contractor.

1. What process do you use to evaluate my specific property needs and what measurable quality standards do you use in doing your work?

Choosing a roofing partner with consistent processes and measurable quality standards is critical. Consistency is the key to knowing that they have a way to make sure they do every job well, not just the job they gave you as a reference. Without these, a roofing contractor’s performance may lack consistency from job to job or may suffer on larger, more complex projects. Meanwhile, contractors who have a consistent process for how to best perform evaluations and measurable quality standards during and after project completion can help you create a personalized restoration plan for your roof that you can have confidence in.

2. What types of materials do you use and what can you tell me about their performance and durability?

Evaluating the quality of your potential roofing partner’s materials is beneficial to ensure that they will be able to provide you with a great functioning roof system. The most basic things to ask about and consider are the features the product has that make it the contractor’s choice for your building, warranty length and language, and the reputation and business strength of the manufacturer. Some more technical data like FM Global and ASTM testing results, Energy Star ratings, and others would be readily available from quality contractors if these are important in your decision process.

3. Are there any examples of previous projects you’ve worked on that I can see?

Asking a roofing contractor to share examples of their previous projects can help you gain a better understanding of the quality of work they offer. Remember, you are not just protecting your roof; you are protecting your business. Examples of projects in your industry can help you understand how they performed the project while also keeping business uninterrupted. You might ask if they have any case studies you can look at or transformation images of completed roofs. Great contractors love to showcase their work and will likely have this available. Besides this, or if they’re unable to provide you with these reference materials, you can also examine online reviews. When reading through reviews, it can be especially useful to look at reviews that include before or after images. You can usually find online reviews through search engines or on the website of the roofing partner you’re considering.

4. What level of insurance and certifications do you carry?

These things are table stakes for hiring a quality contractor. However, roofing is one of the highest-risk categories in construction. This can drive some contractors to run underinsured.  Make sure your contractor has appropriate levels of insurance in place that removes liability from you and your business for any accidents or injuries that could take place in replacing or restoring your roof. Without insurance, you may be liable for any potential damages or injuries that occur at your property during installation. Besides insurance, consider any manufacturer certifications and licensing qualifications your contractor carries. These are signs of their high level of commitment to proving their expertise and staying at the top of their craft.

Other Tips to Consider:

Examine and compare price estimations

When reviewing multiple potential roofing partners, you can also consider and compare the price estimations they’ve provided. Some may be higher and others may be lower, but the most important thing to think about is the quality of work and products they can offer. For example, one potential partner’s estimation may cost less, but their roofing products might not be as durable as another potential partner who has a higher estimation cost. To help you compare your estimations, you might make a table or graph to help you better visualize their differences.

Ask questions about your concerns

Asking questions is a useful tool to help you get answers and elevate your concerns. Great contractors welcome these questions because it gets the relationship off on the right foot with honest and clear communication. This sets a great foundation for communication when the project is underway. By asking the hard questions early, you can use your selection process to help you get to know your potential roofing partners.

Stay patient throughout your selection process

Whether your selection process is short or long, it’s helpful to stay patient when selecting the right roofing partner. You don’t want to just select a roofing partner on impulse, because that decision may affect your roof for years to come. Instead, it’s better to be critical and take time to select the right roofing partner. To ensure you have all the time you need, you can begin your search several months to a year before you need your project completed.

Secure your roof

If you’re interested in securing your fluid-applied roof or discussing your options, our team is happy to connect with you! We’re also happy to help if you’re curious about other questions to ask when selecting a roofing contractor.

To learn more about this process or schedule your free roofing assessment, you can call us at 937.909.9030 or contact us via email.