Your commercial roof needs some work. Who do you call? A professional roofing company, of course. But with so many companies out there, how do you decide which one to hire? If you need help choosing the best roofer for you, your roof, and your business, read these tips on what to look for when choosing a commercial roofing company.
Licenses and Insurance
The first thing you want to do is ensure that the roofers you’re considering are properly licensed and insured. Licensing shows that the company is genuine and understands local coding laws, while insurance protects you from liability if your roof is damaged or if a roofer gets hurt during roof installation or repairs.Experience
Another thing you’ll want to check is how experienced the company in question is. Experience doesn’t necessarily equate to skills—in some cases, newer roofers can be just as competent if not more competent as ones that have been in the business for decades. That said, it’s much safer to choose a roofer with at least a few years of experience in the industry than a roofer with no experience at all. You should also ensure that the roofer you choose has experience working with commercial roofs. Commercial roofs tend to be more spacious and made from different materials than residential roofs, which can pose a problem to those who aren’t used to working on a larger scale or with commercial-grade materials.Reputation
This is a big one. What’s the company’s reputation like? Take some time to scour the internet for reviews and read through these reviews thoroughly! If you see tons of low reviews with negative commentary attached, that’s a sign you want to steer clear. Ideally, you want to look for a company that has mainly positive reviews. That said, don’t automatically assume a company with good reviews is safe. While unethical, companies can fake or buy reviews. Fortunately, fake reviews are pretty easy to spot. Is the commentary paired with the review vague? 5-star reviews that simply say “Great” or “Loved them!” aren’t particularly helpful and have a high chance of being fake. Also, check the reviewers name and profile. Are they a brand-new profile with no other reviews and a weird or generic name? That’s another sign you should take their review with a grain of salt. Use your gut and sleuthing skills to separate quality, genuine roofers from the bad and the fake ones.Look at Past Work
Some companies will have a gallery where you can look at some of the past work they’ve done. You can also ask the company for referrals—they can point you to other nearby places that have used their services, and you can go check them out in person. Seeing their work up close is one of the best ways to assess its quality.Prices
Pricing is another crucial thing to look for when choosing a commercial roofing company. To get the best bang for your buck, we recommend reaching out to no less than three companies for quotes. Compare and contrast the services and cost of services of each company to find the roofer that best suits your needs and budget. However, one thing to keep in mind is that cheap doesn’t necessarily mean better. Super cheap companies often lack licenses, insurance, experience, and warranties and are more likely to produce shoddy work that won’t last. Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better, either—if a company is charging a ridiculous amount that’s much higher than other roofers’ estimates, they’re most likely scammers. Instead of looking for the least or most expensive company, look for one with reasonable, middle-of-the-road prices and excellent credentials.Warranties
Does the roofing company you’re looking at offer any warranties? Most roofing companies will offer a 5-to-25-year warranty on their work depending on the exact kind of work performed. These warranties generally cover materials, craftsmanship, and installation, so if the materials fail or if there’s a fault in the installation, you can have it fixed for no additional cost. However, please note that warranties don’t cover damage out of the roofer’s control, such as hail damage.Stay Local
It’s best to choose a local roofing company. A company that’s close by will often charge less thanks to the shorter commute; plus, a short and predictable commute means they’re more likely to show up on time. Additionally, choosing a local company simplifies matters in case you need future maintenance or emergency service.Get a Contract
Before you let any roofers on your premises, make sure you have a clear and mutually agreed upon contract. A contract guarantees that you’ll get the requested services at a price you agree on. It also guarantees the roofer will get paid on schedule. Contracts are a win-win for everyone, so don’t forget to read and sign yours.Communication Skills
A good roofer will be friendly, honest, and responsive. They’ll show up when they say they will, answer your questions and calls in a timely manner, and keep you up to date on the progress of their work. But how do you make sure you hire a communicative company? Simple—when you’re reading through reviews, keep an eye out for ones that pertain to their communication skills. If reviews mention them showing up and responding on time, great! If they mention them showing up late and never responding to calls, watch out.Consultations and Quotes
Most commercial roofing companies offer a free consultation and quote to potential clients. Ask them to come and inspect your roof and give you a price estimate depending on what they uncover during their examination. This will provide you with a general idea of what’s wrong with your roof, what needs to be done, and what it will cost. If you need a new roof, commercial flat roof repair, or anything else related to commercial roofing, you can rely on Armour Roof Co. We have years of roofing experience, but more importantly than that, we’re a friendly, communicative bunch of roofers you can count on to answer your questions and keep you in the loop. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote!
