When to Use a Consultant vs. a Roofing Manufacturer or Contractor for Commercial Roof Repairs
If you’re looking for commercial roof repair solutions, it can be overwhelming to know which path to take, so we thought we’d walk through when your best option is to go with a skilled contractor or roofing manufacturer and when you need to consider the services of a qualified roofing consultant.
A roof is a big investment and you want to get the best value for your money. With any luck, a commercial roof repair is something you only need to take on every few years, with major repairs only happening once a decade or more.
What this means, though, is that most commercial building owners and operators don’t always have a roofing contractor on speed dial. If you only need their service every five to ten years, you may have to go through the process of collecting quotes and vetting suppliers every time.
If you look online, there can be a lot of conflicting information on the best commercial roof repair offerings. Every town and city will have several contractors all advertising essentially the same service. Or should you hire a consultant who can really nail down the cause of the damage? Roofing manufacturers often offer complimentary consultations, but are they worth it?
If you’re looking for commercial roof repair solutions, it can be overwhelming to know which path to take, so we thought we’d walk through when your best option is to go with a skilled contractor or roofing manufacturer and when you need to consider the services of a qualified roofing consultant.
What’s the Problem?
If you’re reading this article, you’re either looking for help with commercial roof repair or want to be prepared when the time comes. Knowing who to call starts with what issue you’re trying to solve.
Are you looking for:
- Reactive solution after your roof has been damaged?
- Proactive maintenance to keep your roof in good repair?
- Help diagnosing the source of a problem like a leak inside the building?
- Warranty support due to a prematurely failing roof?
- A partner who will handle the entire project from beginning to end?
- A whole-building solution that will update your aging facility to comply with modern building codes and energy standards?
Depending on your answers to the above, you’ll need different service providers.
If you’re looking for simple repairs, either from natural wear and tear or as a result of extreme weather like hail, a roofing contractor is able to apply patches, install new flashings or recoat problem areas to help extend the life of your roof system.
Contractors are also a great choice if you’re looking for a full replacement, to build a new roof system on top of your existing one or if you’re looking to improve your roof’s energy efficiency. When you’re speaking with potential contractors, ask about licensing and continuing education, so you know which ones are on top of modern roof repair solutions.
Western Colloid works with great contractors all over the U.S. If you need help making sure you’re choosing the right one, you can find more information here.
How Much Time Do You Have?
This question isn’t meant in terms of how urgently do you need repairs done, but instead, how much time do you have available to manage a commercial roof repair project?
If you’re dealing with water damage inside your building, an aging roof above and tenants demanding things like better energy efficiency to help manage their rents, you may already have a lot on your plate. Adding items like “find a roofer” and “find a roofing material that meets all my needs” on top of “check for mold” and “cut my energy bills” may be more than you can handle.
If this is the case, someone like a roofing or building science consultant could be the solution you need. Trained engineers and specialists can identify causes of roofing failure, diagnose the source and scale of water damage, and handle both managing quotes and contractors to remediate and repair the issues. If you’re looking for more than just support on your roof, a consultant can offer whole-building turnkey solutions.
As with all things, hiring someone to take tasks off your to-do list often means spending more money, so hiring a consultant is can be a more expensive proposition than hiring contractors directly. But if you’ve got a complex problem to solve — or if functioning as your own project manager will take time away from other important responsibilities — then a consultant can help you find the balance.
Do You Know What You Need?
If you have a pretty good handle on what solution you need, particularly if your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, then working with roofing repair manufacturers may be the most efficient solution available.
Whether you want to replace your entire roof or you’re looking for a coating to create a durable roof system and avoid the cost of a full tear-off and replace project, manufacturers will help design a solution and find a contractor that works for you. Many will even bring in contractors or consultants to diagnose more complex problems like premature failure to help you avoid the same problems in the future.
The added benefit of working with a roofing manufacturer that specializes in commercial projects is that you have a direct line to the warranty provider. If you’re going for a large-scale upgrade, you want to know the work is done right and that the warranty will be honored should issues arise in the future. By sourcing your solution and contractors directly from the manufacturer, your project comes with extra peace of mind built-in.
If you’re ready to get started now, contact Western Colloid for a complimentary roof assessment, so you can better understand your needs and the solutions that will work for you.
