Are you a property or building manager in need of roofing services, but you’re daunted the thought of choosing a company? Before you go choosing blindly, let’s gather some insight on what you should be seeking by examining some things about the roofing industry in Vancouver.
Choosing a Roofing Company
As with all contractors in a bigger city like Vancouver, roofing is a saturated market. There are literally hundreds of companies to choose from, and dozens of factors to consider when choosing a roofing company. So, if you’re a property manager and you haven’t already established a relationship with a local roofing company – or if you’ve found yourself in need of someone new – you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities out there.
Considering The Size of your Roof
The first thing to remember is that, whether you’re seeking a new roof or maintenance work, if you’re a property manager, you’re likely dealing with a roof that’s a little bigger than your average shingled residential. You’ll likely want to avoid a basic handyman or general contractor, choosing instead a larger company that’s capable of handling large-scale commercial roofing projects in a timely and professional manner.
The main reason, however, that it’s important to carefully vet your roofing company, is that, in a rainy city like Vancouver, a roof has to be installed with the utmost skill, precision, and care. If things aren’t done right and water finds its way into the walls and floors of your property, you’ll be saddled with an extremely costly repair bill that’ll far outweigh the money you’ll have spent to make sure things were done right the first time.
With that in mind, here are some things to consider when sifting through some of Vancouver’s larger roofing companies.
4 main things you should consider when looking for a roofing company:
1. Do they have a license and insurance?
This is non-negotiable. Never compromise this to save money by hiring a cheaper contractor. It’s unlikely that an unlicensed roofer has the qualifications and skill required for any sort of large scale installation or maintenance project.
Moreover, if something goes wrong, you’re putting yourself into a precarious situation. The absence of liability insurance means that you’ll likely have to cover the costs of repairs yourself in the event of a catastrophic error.. For the sake of protecting yourself, your tenants, and your wallet, there is virtually nothing more important than choosing a reputable licensed and insured roofer.
2. Are their services comprehensive enough?
Not all roofers are created equal. Some roofers might do a great job replacing your shingled roof, but then they don’t offer maintenance services, flat roofing services, or metal roofing services. Familiarize yourself with every part of your roof, then do your research when choosing a company to ensure that the breadth of their services will cover all your needs.
And remember, experience matters. Many local roofers handle residential roof repair and replacement, but do they have some experience in roofing projects involving buildings and commercial properties? Can they help with all types of flat roofing? A roofing company experienced in installations, repairs, and maintenance is less likely to make mistakes the first time around because they’re aware of what it takes to fix it.
3. Can they help with future upkeep?
The job doesn’t end after the initial installation is completed. Consider your future repair and maintenance needs and try to forge a good relationship with a company that does it all. Ask your prospects about service guarantee, material or product warranty, and emergency services. Work with a company that offers ongoing support because you’ll need it sooner or later.
Remember, it’s a lot more convenient to have one roofer handle all your future maintenance and repair needs instead of finding multiple contractors.
4. How big is the company?
It may be your instinct to shy away from larger companies for fear of receiving a more “impersonal” or low-priority treatment. However, this is usually not the case. In general, the larger your roof, the larger the company should be, because a larger company has the staff, training, licensing, and internal infrastructure to handle the sheer size of your project. You don’t want to hire a smaller company to repair or install your large roof only to discover that they only employ five workers. Your project will take forever.
One last thing to consider
No matter the roofing company you choose, there’s one very important thing to remember:
Keep your Eyes on The Contract
Put everything into writing. Take your time in describing every detail on paper, because it will serve as your protection from possible breach of the contract. Anything that’s written and signed becomes a legal proof against the failure to deliver necessary services. Pay particular attention to the start date and the estimated completion date. Be sure to account for all the expenses and materials listed.
How Can We Help?
If you’re in need of roofing or roof maintenance services, please feel free to give us a call! We’d love to help answer any more questions you may have, or book a consultation with you to discuss how we can help improve your building’s roofing system.
For all your roofing needs in Vancouver and beyond… get in touch today!