As the manager of a commercial property, nothing threatens your business and the owner’s assets more than an unsound building. Of all the structures in a building, none can impair its structural integrity faster than a damaged roof.
Commercial property tenants are highly sensitive to problems that affect their ability to carry on their businesses. Additionally, they want to avoid issues, such as water leaks, that make the premises unattractive and less inviting to customers.
That is why minor roof problems in a commercial property can quickly get out of control and impair the building’s ability to generate revenue, warns Haas Properties. Roof maintenance must feature at the very top of a commercial property manager’s priorities.
Premature roof failure can happen when a commercial building’s roof does not receive the care and attention it requires. Although commercial roofs usually have a life expectancy that is longer than residential roofs, the roof can degrade at a faster rate if it is not well maintained.
What is the most crucial step property managers can take to ensure the health of the roof and prevent property devaluation through roof damage? Finding a competent roofing company that understands the building’s needs is the best way to preserve a commercial building’s roof.
A professional roofing company ensures that roof maintenance is done in a timely fashion and to the best standard. Doing this prevents premature degeneration of the roof and saves time and money for both the manager and the property owner.
What are the things property managers should look out for when hiring a commercial roofing company?
How to find the right commercial roofing company
1. The company’s credentials
The natural starting place should be to assess the roofing company’s competence. The principal persons within the company must be professionally qualified, and the business must have proof to back up whatever claims it makes about itself. Specific details to check for include:
Certifications, licensing, permits, and memberships: The business must have the necessary professional certifications. It must be a member of the relevant professional organizations. It should be legally licensed to work in the area.
Must be bonded and insured: With this, the customer has financial protection if a job is poorly done or not completed. If the contractor is insured, their insurance will bear the liabilities for any injuries that happen to them or their workers while they are working in the customer’s premise.
A verifiable history: The company must have experience and a history of providing exceptional service to customers in the area. A company that has been around for a long time will build up a reputation. It can only survive in its location if it offers consistently good service. Avoid newer companies, unless they belong to competent professionals who were part of a reputable organization but are now starting their own business.
References, reviews, and testimonials: The company should provide relevant references to customers it has been serving in the last 2-3 years. Online reviews and testimonials will also indicate its trustworthiness. It will be beneficial if you check the company’s Yelp and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, as well as the genuineness of its online reviews.
2. How the business is structured
When looking for a commercial roofing company, it is essential to have a long-term focus. Changing contractors will prevent proper maintenance of the building’s roof and defeat the purpose of hiring a roofing company.
Generally, a company with a centralized system of managing contracts is better than one that is decentralized. With centralized contracting, the property manager knows they must deal with only one person, rather than with multiple contractors.
The roofing contractor is responsible for everything involved in the completion of all roof repairs and maintenance. They do this because they have the human resources and assets to manage all aspects of managing the roof. The company serves as a one-stop shop for all the roof’s needs.
Why is this important?
Quality of employees: The roofing contractor will use permanent employees versus part-time or freelance workers, for all its contracts. Since the workers are there in the long term, it pays the roofing company to train them. Therefore, the property manager is assured of the quality of the jobs.
Consistency: There is consistency in the way the roof is maintained and repaired, First of all, the roofing company has a process, and they follow that process with every job done on the building’s roof. Secondly, the same workers will manage the building’s roof; they will be familiar with its challenges. Thirdly, there is a coherent record of repairs and replacements done on the roof.
Lower costs and less stress: Having dedicated workers managing the roof minimizes problems with the roof. It establishes accountability and prevents duplication of efforts. It ensures that everyone working on the roof is a specialist. All these come together to reduce the stress and cost of managing the building’s roofing structures.
Finally, property managers should factor in the cost of maintaining the building’s roof. It is best done by getting quotes from 2-3 roofing contractors and comparing their pricing to see the company that offers the most value at the lowest cost.
