Installing a new commercial roofing system is a multi-faceted project that requires a team effort to ensure success. Make sure you understand the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved so that your roofing project is planned and installed properly to protect your commercial building for 15-20 years or more.
For most re-roofing projects, there are three primary members of the team. The first and perhaps most important is the commercial contractor. Regardless of the roofing system selected, the contractor is responsible for getting it installed properly, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Despite the fact that all commercial roofing systems perform the same function (protecting your building from the elements), they differ greatly by technology and installation method. The contractor you choose should be experienced with the roofing system they propose, and authorized to install it by the manufacturer. In addition, the contractor should have a detailed installation plan for the project that includes preparation, installation and follow-up activities, and they should discuss that plan with you.
Although perhaps more in the background, the roof system manufacturer is also a team member. Most manufacturers have been established for decades and have processes in place to ensure that a high-quality product comes off the line. But beyond supplying the roof materials, a reputable manufacturer should have representatives available to work with you and the installing contractor should any product-specific issues arise. Roof system manufacturers typically have several product warranties available; the manufacturer’s representative and your contractor should be able to explain the differences and help you select the one that’s right for your project.
As the building owner or manager, you are also a critical part of the team. At the very least, your employee or department that’s most familiar with the current roof should be involved in the new-roof process. It can also be helpful to include staff that will approve and manage the budget; for example, the CEO, comptroller or head of finance. One obvious building owner responsibility is working with the contractor on how they’ll access the rooftop, whether from outside with a crane, by using a freight elevator or via some other method. It’s important to clarify this point, because you’ll certainly want to conduct “business as usual” in your building during the project. You’ll also need to jointly plan how the installation will take place with the safety of roof workers and building staff in mind.
In some cases, other members may be added to the team. These can include HVAC specialists who may need to move or adjust rooftop equipment to accommodate the new roof installation – work that’s not part of the roofer’s responsibility. Also, new construction jobs will typically involve architects and/or structural engineers in the roofing process, as will projects where solar or vegetative roof systems are installed on top of the roof membrane.
At Versatile Commercial Flat Roofing, we would welcome the opportunity to be part of the team for your next roofing project. We invite you to contact us at your convenience.
