Hire The Best Commercial Roofing Company in the Twin Cities
You may be tempted to complete your roof repairs on your own or hire the first roofer you come across, especially if you are looking to save some money. Most people do not realize how big of an undertaking replacing a roof can be. It is difficult work, oftentimes tedious and extremely dangerous. You may indeed decide that the risk is worth the reward but there are three reasons you should at least talk to certified commercial roofing contractors before you decide to utilize other options.
Experience. Unless you work in a construction-related field, you probably have little to know knowledge of how roofing is actually done or what the best ways of accomplishing it are. Most roofing contractors have spent years perfecting their craft, talking and collaboratively working with other contractors and professionals before they open up a business of their own. An experienced roofing contractor should be licensed and should know the exact amount of materials to purchase for your place of business, which saves a lot of headaches. You may be an excellent researcher, but there is nothing that will substitute for experience. A roof is especially not an item you want to be experimenting on in your structure – an improper repair can cost you thousands in damages and future repairs.
Safety. Accidents happen, even when you are taking all of the necessary precautions. Roofing is especially dangerous, as it includes falls from impressive heights. When you are learning to do something new, you often overly focus on trying to complete the task, and you may miss some very important clues in your surroundings, including the landscaping aspects. Normally, this is okay but when you are on the rooftop, this is a situation where many accidents are created. If you do decide to do the work yourself, make sure someone else is around to assist you if you need it, or to call for help in the event of an accident.
Save Time. You can do your own roof and save yourself a lot of money, however, be prepared to invest an inordinate amount of time to the project. Most people do not know the ins and outs of the roofing business, which means that learning those skills will only take them more time in the long run. If the roofing contractor makes a mistake, they will come and fix the problem. When you make a mistake, you will have to invest in the time to fix your potential disaster, but you may also be out more money if you find a professional is needed. Most of the time, it is most beneficial to save yourself the time, trouble, and invest a little into hiring a roofing contractor.
What Questions Should You Ask Commercial Roofing Contractors?
Before you hire any roofing contractor to make repairs to your place of business, there are a few essential questions you should be asking. If the company does not do a good job, you will likely be out more time and money in the long run, due to further repairs and potential leaks in the future. The following 6 questions are a great start to ensure that you will get quality work.
What’s the full name and physical address of the company? Of course, any company should be willing to provide this information. If they use a P.O. Box, make sure you get a physical location. A company that is unable to provide a physical location should be avoided, as this is a basic requirement for operating a successful business.
Are you bonded and insured? Make sure that the roofing contractor you are hiring has their own insurance, as it protects you in the even that an accident should occur while they are making repairs. They should have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance.
Do you hire subcontractors? This is not an immediate cause for concern. However, you will need to ask these same questions of the subcontractors; it is especially important to know if the subcontractor is also insured.
Are you licensed to do this type of work? Licensing requirements will vary according to which state you live in. However, almost all locations require some kind of licensing, whether it is a general contractor’s license or just a business license. Beware, however, that a business license does not necessarily qualify them to do the work they are advertising as it is used for tax purposes only. Make sure your roofing contractor is indeed qualified to perform the repair work you wish to hire them for.
Can you provide references? Ask about local sites where you can see examples of their work. It is viable that past customers may not want their personal information handed out, but if possible follow up with them to see if they are happy with the roofing job they received.
Do you offer any type of warranty? It’s important to find out how long the roofing company will guarantee the work they do. A roof warranty will generally last for one year, but some roofers offer extended warranties. It is vital to distinguish between the roofer’s warranty and the manufacturer’s warranty – the manufacturer will only cover the materials, while roofing contractors cover the actual work done. Be sure to ask who covers what, and what’s included in each warranty.
