7 Questions To Ask When Hiring A Commercial Roofer

We’re fast approaching severe weather season in the Mid-South, which typically encompasses April and May, and brings with it lots of potential for strong winds and storms. It’s not uncommon to see shingles laying around the day after we’re hit with heavy rain and straight-line winds, but what if your business experiences roof damage beyond that? What if you find yourself needing extensive repairs or even a whole new roof?

When you’re looking for someone to repair or replace a commercial roof in Memphis, hiring a company that has the skill, expertise, and experience is important. You want a long lasting product that will stand the test of time, and our team here at Pinnacle Roofing can provide just that. Because we want you to be confident in both the roof and the company you’re investing in, we’ve put together a list of 7 questions every business owner should ask a potential roofer before choosing to use their services.

1. Do you have workman’s comp insurance?

At one time, employers that had three or fewer employees weren’t required to offer workman’s compensation insurance, but now they must do so by law. However, some contractors and roofers will still attempt to “opt out” of this requirement. This can be problematic for you if an employee is injured on your property – if you’ve hired a company that doesn’t offer workman’s compensation, you could be on the hook for their medical bills. We all know that no business owner wants to incur that kind of hassle and loss! To protect yourself, make sure the company you hire insures each worker that will be present on your property.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance?

While workman’s comp covers any employees on your property, general liability insurance covers your actual property. For example, if your business were to accidentally burn down in the process of a contractor welding on your roof, and the company doesn’t carry liability insurance, you could be responsible for covering the debts incurred by this tragic accident. Protect your property by only hiring reputable companies carrying general liability insurance.

3. Will you remove my old roof?

Some roofers claim they can save time and money by simply visually inspecting your old roof, and if all looks well, shingling over it. However, unless the old shingles are pulled up, you can’t really know if there are soft spots or rotten wood beneath them. If bad spots are allowed to remain behind, you’ll end up with even larger, costlier problems in the future.

4. Do you bring a container for refuse material?

Refuse from your old roof, such as shingles, will need to be placed somewhere as it comes down. The company you hire should bring a container to the job site to contain this refuse. As a client and business owner, you shouldn’t be required to supply this container, and shouldn’t be left to deal with cleaning the refuse up once the job is completed.

5. What will you do in the case of inclement weather during the job?

In Memphis especially, the weather can change on a dime! When someone is in the middle of removing and replacing your roof, this can be a major problem. If a nice spring day turns into a nasty rain storm, what will the roofing company do to protect the vulnerable interior of your business? You’ll want to be certain your roof will be covered in some type of plastic sheeting or tarpaulin to keep it, and everything underneath it, dry. You should also ask what the plan will be if rain decides to stick around for a while. Will the company come back regularly to ensure the covering is keeping things dry? If we get a storm with high winds, will someone come out and check that the covering is holding securely?6. What is the warranty on my new roof?

A healthy and well-maintained roof should last you around 25 years, and the goal of any good roofing company should be to install a roof that you can feel secure and safe working under every day for many years to come.

7. Do you provide a written estimate?

Be sure you have a detailed estimate for the job written up before you sign any sort of contract. Getting locked into a contract without that original estimate has the potential to cause problems for you in the long run. A good estimate will include a variety of things, such as the cost of removing the old roof, adding the new roof, repairs, and anything else that could come up in the process, such as rotten plywood that needs to be replaced.

Choosing Pinnacle Roofing for your Memphis commercial roofing needs

Selecting an experienced commercial roofer in Memphis doesn’t have to be complicated! By asking the above questions, you’ll be able to get a good idea of which company would best meet your needs. We hope that you’ll consider Pinnacle Roofing, whether you need a new roof, an emergency roof repair, a complete roof restoration, or anything in between. We’d love the chance to chat with you about our commercial roofing services! To learn more, get in touch with our friendly team today and schedule an appointment for a free estimate on your commercial roofing needs.