No matter the size, sector, service or product, all businesses are about the bottom line and maximising profit.
When you need a new roof, have a leak, or need more serious repairs on your property’s roof, it’s important to choose the right team for the job. It will save you time and money and give you peace of mind.
But what should you look for in a roofing contractor?
Why asking for a detailed quote is essential for your budget
A good commercial roofer will provide you with a detailed breakdown of materials, labour, and ancillary costs in a quote.
Hidden charges or changes mid-project can significantly impact your operating expenses or facilities management budget.
It is important to choose a contractor you can trust and who has the experience to be able to inspect your roof properly before providing advice and quotes. A company with a reputation for quality work, great customer service and a good price is a solid choice.
Why is commercial roofing experience vital?
Roofers used to working only on domestic projects will be used to working at a smaller scale, perhaps with more experience on tiled and pitched roofs.
Commercial properties often have different roofing materials and therefore require different skills. They will usually require more labour due to the size, so your contractor will need a team, rather than working solo.
For example, an industrial unit or warehouse may have a massive flat roof, or slightly pitched roof punctuated with ventilation, air conditioning units and communications equipment. These elements, combined with specialist roof membranes, can make the job more complex.
Why is liability insurance important for contractors?
As a Bury St Edmund’s business owner, you’ll know that it is important to protect your business against potential accidents, damage or liability. The same applies to the roofing contractor you employ.
Ensure that it has the necessary public liability insurance to undertake the work, and if the company has employees, then it needs employers’ liability insurance too.
That way, you can have peace of mind that the installation and repairs done are covered. Where possible, ask the contractor about any warranties provided.
Why are accreditations valuable when choosing a contractor?
The Health and Safety Executive has guidelines for safe roofing work. This includes access requirements, safe inspections, and working at height risk and mitigation.
Although these are predominantly designed to protect the contracted roofers, they also reduce risk to members of the public in and around the vicinity.
Independent industry accreditations provide third-party validation for the work the company does. The contractor will need to prove that they adhere to industry standards on compliance, safety and quality.
Choosing a roofing contractor that is CHAS-certified, for example, will have achieved certain health and safety standards. Part of this includes SSIP, which is used to demonstrate an organisation’s safety standards as a contractor.
Look for membership of organisations such as Constructionline, which assess risk management and compliance for construction.
Choosing a roofing team which has been assessed by SMAS or SafeContractor can help reassure you that building work is compliant with workplace regulations.
That said, if all the compliance and insurance boxes are ticked, the best guarantee of a good contractor is the personal reviews and recommendations. Roofing repairs and installation that comes with a five-star review is a sure winner for your commercial property.
