As a business owner, you know how important maintenance is to your building. Most companies have a handyman (or crew, for larger companies) who takes care of the interior and exterior aspects of the building. This typically includes electrical and plumbing repairs, overloaded gutter systems, paint touch-ups, and even issues that arise with the heating and cooling system. Commercial roofing, however, is a whole different ballgame. Most states require roofers to be licensed and a typical maintenance crew leader is not. For roof repairs and replacements, a professional needs to complete the job.
Having an unlicensed and uninsured person doing roof repairs for a business can be a huge liability. If the person were to get hurt, you would be responsible for any and all costs related to pain, suffering and medical care. Beyond that, if the person makes a mistake, you have no recourse. Everything may seem fine when you leave work, but a week later, during a downpour, you realize that the roof might as well be Swiss cheese. what do you do then? Since the person who did the work was unlicensed, insured, and probably unincorporated, you really have nowhere to turn. You will end up spending more money to have a professional come in to repair work that has already been paid for and completed, albeit incorrectly.
When you need commercial roof repairs completed, it’s best to do some fact checking. Obtain a license number from the contractor and cross-reference it with the state’s database. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed. Ask to see a copy of the company’s liability insurance policy, and then call the managing agent to make sure the insurance is active and covers the scope of your project. If any of these areas seem a bit hazy or gray, find a different contractor.
Another good idea is to ask nearby companies that they have used in the past for their roofing business problems, if they would use the same people again and if they would recommend the service provider to others. Also, ask the roofer for references. A reputable businessman has references that can be verified. These can come from previous clients or even from GC. Be sure to ask specific questions so you can recognize if this is a legitimate reference…not the roofer’s aunt or brother-in-law.
There is no point in wasting time or money on commercial roofing trying to cut corners. Get it right the first time. You have a large investment to protect under that roof. Your handyman can be a big help when it comes to repair work, but he’s probably not crazy about playing roofer for a day. Also, flyers without proper documentation are obviously used to taking shortcuts, which is exactly what they’ll do to your roof. Have a professional come in to do the job right.