In most cases when you’re looking to select a commercial roofer to replace or restore your roof, it would be wise to always get more than one bid.
There is no set of number of bids you should get, but we recommend that getting 3 is always a good starting point. Getting multiple bids will give you a good gauge on pricing, warranties, reviews/recommendations, and expertise of each company.
This will also ensure you’re getting a competitive and fair bid from an experienced company. Here are some tips on how you can “standardize” your bid request process so you can evaluate each commercial roofer fairly:
Provide the Exact Same Information
It’s helpful for roofers to know exactly what problems you are experiencing and what section(s) of your roof you want them to evaluate. You’re essentially presenting the same problem to each company and then trying to see who can show the most knowledge in providing a solution to your issue. By giving out the same specifications, it would be easier to compare and evaluate.
Ask the Same Types of Questions
Outside of questions related to your roof such as timeline for job completion, estimate cost, types of materials, etc. it’s also important to ask the company questions about their qualifications. Such as:
- How long have you been doing roofing?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Is your crew in-house or subbed out?
- How many roofs have you done?
- And do you have any references?
Spending money to repair or replace your roof is a big expenditure so now it the time to ask these important and detailed questions.
Summary
By providing the exact same information to each roofer and asking the same types of questions, you’re in a better position to compare them “apples to apples”. Some of the most telling information is how they see your problem and how they propose to fix it.
Experienced commercial roofers should be able to provide you more than one option and should try to provide as much education on your options so you can make an informed decision.
