Anytime you face a significant business expense, it is wise to perform your due diligence to save money and improve results. When it comes to commercial roofing projects, it is important to be wary of things commercial roofing companies in Bergen County, NJ, aren’t telling you about your roof.
Important Considerations For Commercial Roofing
Watch for roofing contractors who are not adequately open and transparent about the following issues.
Warranties Are Not All The Same
You want to make sure your roof has a warranty that will keep you covered for years to come. It’s important to first distinguish between manufacturer and contractor warranties, but either way, a warranty is only as good as the business behind it. This is one of many reasons you should choose a well-established contractor who works with manufacturers that are leaders in the industry.
It is also essential to distinguish between warranties that cover materials only and those that cover both materials and labor. Labor costs may be high when defective materials have to be removed and replaced.
Typically, manufacturers offer the best warranties when you use one of their certified roofing contractors. A manufacturer may even send their own inspector to confirm that the installation was done to the specifications. In such a scenario, the manufacturer is highly confident that its products will perform as designed and is willing to offer a generous warranty because it expects fewer claims over time.
In states with severe weather potential, like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, businesses should be aware of the available hail and wind damage coverage.
Contractors Don’t All Have The Same Insurance
Roofers may not tell you upfront that they don’t have adequate insurance to cover every contingency. Still, the state of New Jersey requires roofers to have a certain amount of liability insurance. General liability policies typically cover claims related to bodily injury, personal injury and property damage.
If there is an accident during the installation of your roof and you discover that the contractor doesn’t have adequate insurance, someone could make a claim against your own insurance policy. Although claims against such policies are rare, they can get costly due to medical expenses and attorney’s fees.
Remember that a roofing company’s liability policy does not protect you against poor workmanship. The best way to guard against this is to use a commercial roofing specialist certified by a high-quality roofing manufacturer with substantial liability insurance. CRS, for example, carries $11 million in liability insurance, which is many times the required amount.
Commercial Roofing Materials Vary In Quality
A commercial roof typically protects a real estate investment worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. It is only natural that owners want to install a roofing system that uses the highest quality materials to safeguard their investment. However, some commercial roofing companies may cut corners to improve their profits without telling you — potentially at your expense.
Look for a roofing contractor committed to the highest quality products from reputable commercial roofing manufacturers like Carlisle, Duro-Last, Tamko Roofing Products, Owens Corning, CertainTeed Saint-Gobain, GAF, Acrymax Technologies Inc., and Environmental Roofing Components. Duro-Last, for example, pre-fabricates roof sections as large as 2,500 square feet to minimize the number of seams required when compared to roofs using standard rolls of EPDM.
Installations Vary In Quality
Just as roofing materials vary in quality, so do the installations. Many people don’t know that some commercial roofing companies may subcontract the work without informing you. When you take your vehicle to the dealership for an engine repair, you have the right to expect the dealership’s mechanics will complete the work. Similarly, complex commercial roofing systems should be installed by a contractor’s own experienced, safety-trained employees working under close supervision.
A great deal is at stake during an installation, and a single poorly welded seam could cause problems in the future. The perimeter of the membrane must be properly secured at all points, and all other roof components, including underlayment, insulation, and flashing, must be installed appropriately.
Almost every commercial structure has unique architectural characteristics that impact its roof, which means that commercial roofing is not a “one size fits all” business. The most capable commercial roofing companies often have their own design team to customize roofing systems.
Contact Us Today
CRS brings decades of experience to its commercial installations. Our design team can customize a roof system that addresses the unique needs of your building. We are certified to install complete roof systems by major manufacturers such as Duro-Last and Carlisle.
We proudly serve commercial clients across a wide area from Bergen County, NJ, to New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. CRS is a true full-service roofing contractor offering everything from periodic roof inspections to complete roof replacements.
To inquire about all of your commercial roofing questions or to arrange for a comprehensive certified roof inspection, please contact us today.
