Choosing a Roofing Professional

When it is time to select a roofing contractor, remember that all roofing contractors are not alike. A new roof is a BIG investment - taking your time and asking good, common sense questions will make the process that much smoother. Most of these questions are usually organized into a one or two-page document called a Pre-Qualification Statement.

For an example of a Pre-Qualification Statement please CLICK HERE to Download.

To make certain that you receive the proper quote, as well as ensure that the appropriate roofing system is installed correctly - use a Certified Roofing Contractor with at least the following list of credentials:

Contractor's License - Issued in the State that the roof is being installed:
Make sure that the Roofing Contractor knows the building code requirements for your State/Area, so that it doesn't prolong the installation process. Also, using a local Roofing Contractor will allow you to make onsite visits to some of their previous projects completed.

Operational Experience:
Even though a newly formed Roofing Contractor company could provide the same quality of roof installations as some seasoned professionals - it may be a good idea to find out how "new" the Roofing Contractor is to business ownership. Established companies usually have Policies and Procedures for all sorts of processes within their business - some of which have a large impact on their customers. Roofing Contractors with five (5) or more years in operation will generally provide the best options for building owners with the least resistance to their continual operations.

Company Contacts:
Knowing who to contact for what when dealing with a new business professional is just as important as if they are qualified to install the roof. It will make the business relationship flourish, since internal departments can recognize/contact the proper individuals for assistance efficiently.

Roof Types Usually Installed:
Some Roofing Contractors strictly do Commercial, others only Residential, while some do a bit a both, some even specialize in one specific type - like Single-Ply or Modified Bitumen roofing. Knowing what the Roofing Contractor generally installs will provide you an idea as to what they are the most equipped/experienced in to provide you with the best service possible.

Insurance / Bank / Bonding Limits:
Ensuring that the Roofing Contractor has the proper limits and bonding capacity available is a necessity before - even considering a bid. You must keep your business protected at all costs - even if the price offered is much, much less that others with the proper insurance.

Reference Listing (Projects) -Three (3) Recent References (within past 3 years):
Having at least three (3) projects completed within the past year or so, will give you a good idea as to the workload the Roofing Contractor can handle, but asking for some which are older will allow you to see if those roofs are still providing the best protection - verifying the quality of the roof system installed.

Reference Listing (Material Supplier/s):
Having references on Material Suppliers will allow you to understand if the Roofing Contractor has regularly purchased, and therefore installed, the roofing system necessary for your building's specifications. It also allows you to recognize the business operations of the Roofing Contractor - verifying whether or not they make their scheduled payments to Material Suppliers.

Other Questions You Should be  Concerned About:

Scope of Work:
A Scope of Work is a general listing of all the work that the specific roofing system entails. It is important that the Scope of Work provided by the Roofing Contractor matches that of the building. Failing to provide a specific Scope of Work could void potential Manufacturer Guarantees, so pay close attention and ask questions if you are unsure.

Work Being Performed:
Will the Roofing Contractor be performing their own workforce, or do they have another (2^nd Tier) Subcontractor who will be installing their roofing systems.

Contractual / Necessary Documentation:
Make sure that everything stated in person is in writing, so you can have documentation to fall back on, if the even arises. Make sure that you have all Insurance documents with the proper specifications (Waiver of Subrogation, Indemnification, etc.). Be sure to copies of all licenses and any additional documentation necessary to facilitate your operations.

Permitting:
Be sure that it clearly states who will be responsible for permits and inspections. Some Roofing Contractors make it a requirement to have the building owners pull permits, which means that the building owner will be responsible for all inspections as well.

Payment of Schedules:
Make sure that all payment requirements are clearly designated before signing the contractual documentation. Failure to abide by contractual agreements may start the business relationship off on the wrong foot, especially when dealing with a new contractor, so outline how your company makes payments to their vendors.

Closeout Documents/Procedures:
Think proactively! Understand the process involved in completing the project as well as what documentation is needed before the Final Release is signed.

Workmanship (Labor) and Material Warranties:
After a roof installed you still want to be covered from potential pitfalls, so make sure you clearly outline whether or not you require a Workmanship/Material Warranty on your new roofing system. Most Roofing Contractors offer both, but their specifics vary from professional to professional, so ask what their contains.

While these questions are a good starting point, you really need to understand what the roofing quote process is like, so get at least four (4) quotes to compare the different prices and roofing systems. Then follow-up with questions to each of the most attractive Roofing Contractor quotes. This is the most important, because it allows you recognize certain items you may feel are necessary. You may find that some quotes, even though much less than others, really do not fit what your requirements are.

If all else fails, you can always consider a General Contractor or Roofing Consultant. There are numerous available throughout Florida, and they can provide valuable incite into all aspects of the Construction Industry, as well as lend assistance with all vendor processes so you don't have to.