Trying to Choose a San Diego Roofing Contractor For Your Commercial Building? Here’s How to Choose the Best One!
So, you’re about to begin your commercial flat roof project in San Diego, CA and you’re so confused about how to get the best commercial roofing contractor to handle it? Whether you need to make repairs, installation, or maintenance, the key to getting past this stage is preparation and knowledge.
Learn About Your Roof
The first thing you need to do is to know everything about your roofing, or at least everything you can know. You should know the type of roofing system you have, the measurement of your roof (in square feet), the age of your roof, how many repairs and maintenance it has undergone, the rooftop equipment, as well as any issues it might be facing currently, such as leakage or drainage issues.
Once you’re armed with this knowledge, you can now seek out a potential contractor for San Diego commercial & industrial roofing and let them know what you’ll be needing their services for in clear terms. You’ll also be able to find out whether or not they’re experienced in handling your type of roof.
Get Recommendations or Referrals
Another thing to do is to seek referrals and recommendations from people who have worked with local commercial roofing contractors in the past and are happy with their services.
If you know a number of people who have commercial buildings in the San Diego area, that is usually a good place to start. Ask for recommendations, and even find out if there are contractors you should steer clear of, probably because of their previous experiences with such commercial roofing contractors.
If you don’t get referrals from people you know, you can go online to seek recommendations. Facebook has a feature that allows you to ask for recommendations for residential contractors, and so does Angie’s List.
Check their Experience Levels and Specialties
When you find commercial roofing contractors by recommendation or by surfing the net, the next thing to do is to assess their experience levels, as well as their suitability for the roofing project. The best roofing contractor to work with is one that has been in business for a few years, has well-trained and experienced staff, and specializes in the commercial roof your building has. You can check their websites for such information or ask them directly. The rule of thumb where specialization is concerned is that if they don’t specialize in flat commercial roofs, they’re not a good company to consider. Remember! A home roofing contractor will most likely make a bad commercial roofing contractor.
In the course of confirming their suitability for your project, find out if they’re experienced at handling the nature and size of commercial buildings you have. Some commercial roofing companies have only worked with small commercial buildings, so if you have a large building, they might be at a loss on what to do with your commercial building.
Ask all the Questions
Prepare a list of questions to ask a potential contractor and only move on if you’re satisfied by the answers you get. If you don’t ask questions, you will never be sure whether or not the contractor really knows their onions, or if they just seem like they do. If a contractor complains or tries to shy away from responding to your questions, it is a tell-tale sign that they’re not fit for the job. You would often find a competent contractor encouraging you to ask questions and providing as much information as possible so that you would be well prepared and informed on the nature and details of the project.
If you don’t know where to start, ask about the experience levels of their team members, the project duration and expectations, whether or not they offer warranties, and what these warranties cover. When you’re confident that your questions have been answered appropriately, you can move on to the next step.
What’s their Work Process Like?
Every company has a work process they follow once the project begins, and you need to know it. Some companies will have one contact person handling communications with you throughout the project while some will have more. You also need to find out whether they respond to emails quickly, or if you can reach them through calls at all times. Will they be reporting to you throughout the stages of the project?
Despite the answers you get, one way to be doubly sure is to watch how they respond and communicate with you now, as they might follow the same pattern, whether good or bad.
Confirm Work Permits and Licenses
Ensure that the commercial roofing contractor is not only licensed but also has a permit to work in your location. Similarly, you should check that the company has adequate insurance to cover damages that might occur in the course of the project.
Check for Reviews and References
As the roofing company for a list of references or satisfied customers who have made positive reviews about their services. You could use the reviews citing or reach out to some of the satisfied customers and hear from them.
While looking at references, ask for clients with similar projects as yours, whether in the same location, with a similar roofing system size or material, or perhaps the same issues you wish to fix.
If you find negative reviews, ask questions about them, what the issues were, and how they were handled.
Fair Pricing
Cheap isn’t always the best, so don’t go running towards the most affordable roofing contractor just because you can save some money. Instead, try to get a fair price within the context of the job, its requirements, and the average market price. Remember to factor in the life expectancy of the roof when considering the price, do a simple division and find out whether or not you get a good price per year.
Once you cover all these areas adequately, you’re on course to find yourself a great roofing contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I select the right commercial roofing contractor?
Here’s a quick list to help you choose the right contractor for your commercial roof:
Experience: Confirm a history of handling commercial roofing projects successfully over the years
Licensing, Insurance Coverage, and warranty: Make sure they are all available and up to dateReferences and Reputation: What are previous customers saying? What is their rating on the Better Business Bureau?
Specialization: Can they handle your specific project? Have they done it before?
What Kind of Qualifications and Certifications should I look out for when dealing with a commercial roofing contractor?
The most important qualifications and certifications to look out for include certifications from reputable manufacturers such as Elevate/Firestone, and GAF. You should also check if they belong to professional associations like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).
How can I be sure the roofing contractor is following safety regulations?
Inquire about their safety standards and programs as a reputable contractor should have comprehensive safety programs that ensure compliance with all safety standards, protection for their staff, and a safe working environment.
Is it okay to get multiple quotes from several roofing contractors?
Yes. It is also a wise course of action. When you request quotes from several potential roofing contractors, you can compare work processes, prices, work scope, as well as professionalism.
When comparing quotes, don’t make decisions solely based on price, but also consider roofing material quality, reputation, experience, and timeline.
What are some questions to ask a potential roofing contractor?
Here’s a Checklist to use:
How many years of experience do you have?
Have you worked with the type of roofing system I need? For how long?
Do you have permits and licenses?
Can I have a list of references from previous customers?
How long is the project expected to take?
How do you handle unexpected delays or problems that arise in the course of the project?
How do you handle communication and project management?
What is your warranty on materials and services like?
Are you insured? And what does it cover? (ask for proof)