Things to Address During Your Commercial Roofing Project
Going through a commercial roofing project is a major undertaking for your business. There are some key things that you as the building owner or manager should be aware of as you are mapping out the project, so it can go as smoothly as possible.
Contract Requirements
Read the contract for your roofing project carefully and make sure the contractor is fulfilling the obligations. For example, ensure that the project is being completed safely and that the materials specified in the contract are being used. The contract should also state timing, such as when the project is scheduled to begin and how long it should take to complete. If you have questions about the scope of work or any other points, those should be resolved before the project begins (or even before you sign the contract).
A Tidy Roofing Project Installation
Ensure that the contractor keeps the worksite clean; details about how this will be accomplished may be spelled out in the contract. There should be a designated area for discarding old items that are removed from the roof. The roofing company should be able to provide their own correctly sized dumpster and make sure you agree as to where it will be located during the project. Nails and other sharp objects should be handled and discarded properly so that you don’t have to deal with a safety hazard on your property during or after the roofing project.
Access to the Roof
Both you and the contractor should have a clear understanding of how and where the contractor will access the roof. Consider that a crane will likely be used to lift materials from the ground to the roof surface. The roof on taller structures may not be reachable by crane, and the contractor will need to use a freight elevator. In addition, roofing materials can be extremely heavy and difficult to handle. Make sure that the loading area on the roof is strong enough to support the weight.
A Few Other Things to Think About
- Will there be a manager or other supervisory person overseeing the project and ensuring it’s proceeding according to plan?
- What sort of safety program does the contractor have in place for the well-being of the crew and your occupants?
- Sometimes during the installation, surprises are revealed that can impact the completion date. In these cases, you should allow some flexibility, but the contractor should make every effort to address delays and complete the project quickly.
Ask questions and always keep the lines of communication open. When you handle your commercial roofing project methodically and proactively, you’re more likely to ensure its overall success.