Did you know that you’d have to spend an average of $6,745 for a residential roof replacement in Akron, OH?
That’s already quite a huge sum, and that’s only for a roof of about 1,200 square feet.
The thing is, commercial buildings are much bigger–between 12,000 and 19,000 square feet. That’s why commercial roofs are much more expensive than those on homes.
So, if you’ve noticed signs that your building needs a new roof, you can expect a replacement to be a huge investment. And with that kind of money involved, you want to make sure you choose the best roofing contractors.
But with so many roof installers in Akron, how do you choose the right contractors?
By ensuring you ask each of your prospects these following questions!
1. Can You Show Me a Copy of Your Business License?
This is one of the most important roofing questions to ask a commercial roofer in Akron.
But why look for a business license instead of a contractor’s license?
In Ohio, roofing contractors aren’t required to get a statewide contractor’s license. Each locality, city or county has its own licensing regulations.
It’s because of these laws (or lack of them) that the introduction of Senate Bill 351 took place in 2014. With this, commercial roofers would need to register with the state to get licensed.
But because this bill isn’t set in stone yet, what you need to look for is a business license. The Ohio Secretary of State requires this from all businesses, including roofing companies.
2. Do You Have Liability Insurance?
In 2017, the City of Akron issued new permit requirements for construction contractors. This means registration is now necessary for all construction work, including roofing jobs. Not meeting these and still pushing through with a job will result in the suspension of work.
One of the new requirements to get a project permit is to present proof of liability insurance.
This protects you–the property owner–from liabilities in case one of the roofers get injured on your property. It also protects you from property damage that may occur while the roofers replace your roof.
Granted, the new permitting laws aim to protect consumers from legal liabilities. But you should still ask the contractors to give you their policy details. From there, contact their insurer to make sure their policy is up-to-date.
3. How About the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation?
Any Ohio business with employees–even if they only have one worker–need to have worker’s compensation in place. Roofing businesses need to have this for legal compliance.
That’s enough reason to make this one of the most important questions to ask a roofing contractor.
More than that though, worker’s compensation also frees you from legal liabilities. Let’s say a worker trips and sustains an injury while working on your property. The injury is serious enough to land him in the hospital.
In this case, the worker’s compensation will cover the injured worker’s medical bills. But if the contractor doesn’t have this, you may become liable.
So, don’t risk it and make sure you ask the contractor for coverage details. Then, contact the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to verify the information.
4. Do You Have a Bond?
This is another type of coverage that offers liability protection to property owners. It kicks in if the contractor failed to finish the job as indicated in the contract. It can also compensate you if the contractor did something against the contract.
For example, you had explicit instructions on which materials to use for your new roof. The contractor agreed, but then at some point, started using other materials. In this case, you can file a claim with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
5. Where Exactly Is Your Business Located?
As beautiful as Akron is, it’s no stranger to severe, even extreme weather conditions. Just earlier this year, we had that blast of arctic air that drove temperatures extremely low.
All that ice may have led to roof damage and you’re unsure whether to get roof repairs or a replacement.
Either way, you need to address those roof issues ASAP, or you’re looking at problems bigger than leaks. A leaky commercial roof can already cause downtime, but it can also cause health hazards. And if the damage is severe, parts of it may even collapse.
That said, you want a commercial roofer that can get to Akron at a moment’s notice. Plus, a local roofing company has insider knowledge of road and traffic conditions. That helps ensure they’re on time for the scheduled roof replacement or repair job.
6. Will You Have Subcontractors Work on the Project Too?
If so, their permit and registration should list the names of all subcontractors. They should also have their subcontractors covered by worker’s compensation.
7. Will You Issue a Written Commercial Estimate for the Project?
One of the most important things to ask when getting roofing quotes is if you’ll get these in writing. Don’t settle for verbal–get a written estimate that details all aspects of the roof replacement. This reduces the risks of surprise or hidden costs after the contractors finish the job.
This should include a list of all materials and their individual cost estimates. It should also include the labor cost of taking the old roof off and installing the new one.
8. How Long Is the Warranty on My New Roof?
How long your new roof will last depends on the type of commercial roof you get, but some, like metal, can last up to 50 years. Natural slate and tile can even outlive you–they can last from 100 to 150 years!
A reputable roofing contractor will still issue a warranty for your new roof though. This proves that they’re confident of their exceptional work. In case a problem arises a few years from now, the warranty will cover all or some of the costs.
9. Can You Give a Timeframe for Project Completion?
The best roofing companies usually have other jobs, but they should get to you right away. Ask them how soon they can attend to you and how long the project will take. If they can start and finish the job within a few days, have them write this down in the contract.
10. Who Will Take Care of the Project’s Refuse Materials?
Replacing a roof generates a lot of refuse materials, and you shouldn’t take care of those. The roofing contractor should include garbage and rubbish removal in the service.
Get Your New Roof Now with the Best Roofing Contractors
Asking all these questions may seem like a tedious task, but it’s worth the effort. Especially since a commercial roof is one of your largest business investments. But with the best roofing contractors on your team, you can get that new, longer-lasting roof ASAP.
Ready to experience the difference a high-quality commercial roof can make? If so, then feel free to connect with us now to get your free estimate!
