Association. It is mainly for contractors, but it has
much to offer property managers, including several
handbooks that make great references. RCI is a
professional organization for roofing consultants and
has plenty of available information for managers and
communities. It is common for a property manager
to include a roofing consultant on large projects to
protect the community that they manage.
Replacing your roof is a big decision and as I have
stated previously it can be an expensive proposition.
It goes without saying that you want the best roofing
contractor for the job. How do I know what to look
for? The following is the list that I recommend helping
you reach your decision to find the right company.
Double checking licensing and insurance is vital.
Roofing is a very dangerous job and all the insurance protections need to be confirmed. Check to see if the
company has any complaints filed with OSHA and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. I suggest
looking at past work completed and talking to a previous customer. We obviously have the resource of the
internet to check reviews but be skeptical when a company only has 5-star reviews. Any company that performs
hundreds of roofing projects a year is going to have a small number of less than favorable reviews.
Price isn’t the only thing that matters. We have all heard the expression “you get what you paid for” and in many
situations by just hiring the loW. bidder you do sometimes get what you pay for. What you paid for was the below
average work of the loW. bidder. Get multiple estimates and invest the time talking to and getting to know the
roofing companies. It will help you in making an informed decision.
Every aspect of your roofing project should be in writing. A good roofing company will appoint a knowledgeable
employee to walk you through the contract and answer any questions that you may have. No part of the
agreement should be confusing or left up in the air. Ask who is performing the work. Make sure that a roofing
company is not outsourcing to a third-party sub-contractor. Some manufacturer’s material warrantees can be
voided in this situation. Furthermore, you have no way of knowing whether the sub-contractor is qualified to
install your new roof. You may just be paying for the cheapest labor a company can find. So be wary of roofing
companies that use these types of bait and switch tactics. Ask what happens if you are unsatisfied with the
work? No matter how careful you plan a job, there is always a chance that something won’t go as planned. If
an error happens, how will the company handle it? My company, Jenkins, has a proven track record of always
making something right and so should any company that you hire. Ask about unplanned repairs. There is
always the possibility of additional work being necessary for unforeseen existing damage. Roofs, like any other
construction project, have this possibility. In some cases, decking is rotten or damaged by moisture. Ask your
roofing contractor how they handle unexpected repairs. The best companies will have a unit cost pricing structure
for typical unforeseen damages that create unplanned repairs. Make sure this pricing is in writing, so even if you
are surprised, you know what to expect.
Finally make sure that the warranty being provided to you is consistent with the best companies in the industry.
You may want to ask the roofing contractor for a previous customer that had a warranty issue to see how it was
handled and if the previous customer was satisfied.
I am Brian Johns the Vice President of Jenkins Restorations for the S.ern US, Director of the National Response
Team and Director of National Roofing. I hope this is informative and helpful.
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