How to hire the right commercial roofers

No two commercial roofs are the same, and neither are the companies that work on them. Plenty of businesses advertise roofing, but not all of them are the right fit for a commercial building. Some only work on steep-slope house roofs. Others sell the job and subcontract the work, leaving you unsure who is actually on your roof. Your building's roof protects your staff, customers, inventory and equipment, so it deserves a commercial roofer who knows exactly what they are doing. Here is how to choose one.

Make sure the commercial roofer knows your roofing system

Commercial roofs come in many materials, including TPO, EPDM and PVC membranes, metal, and asphalt shingles on pitched sections. Flat and low-slope roofs take different skills, tools and materials than steep-slope roofs. Before you hire anyone, ask whether they repair, maintain and replace your specific system on your type of roof. If your building has both flat and steep-slope sections, make sure they handle both, so you are not coordinating two contractors at every transition.

Appearance matters too. A roof that looks patched and worn tells customers something about the business beneath it, so look at the contractor's finished commercial work, not just their residential photos.

Verify licensing, insurance and reputation

Start by confirming the company has a real office in your area. Then check the basics:

• Licensing. Tennessee requires a state contractor's license before a contractor bids on larger projects. You can check any license for free at verify.tn.gov.
• Insurance. Licensing and insurance are separate, so check both. Ask for current certificates showing general liability and workers' compensation coverage.
• Reputation. Look for a Better Business Bureau rating of A or higher, and read reviews on sites other than the company's own website.
• Manufacturer certification. A roofer certified by at least one manufacturer has invested in training and in installing products the way the manufacturer specifies, which also matters for warranty eligibility.

Ask who will actually do the work

Some companies outsource their jobs. Ask whether the company's own crews will work on your building or whether it will be subcontracted, and who your point of contact will be while the work is underway. On an occupied building, ask how they will plan around your hours, protect entrances and keep debris away from customers and staff.

Make sure they offer the services your building needs

A company that checks every box above still may not offer what your building needs over its life. Make sure they can repair, maintain and replace your roof. If you want a scheduled maintenance plan, confirm they offer one; if you would rather call for inspections as needed, make sure that works too. A roofer who handles everything from leak repair to regular maintenance, coatings and full replacement can help you put off a total replacement for as long as it is safe, and will tell you honestly when it is not.

Check references from other business owners

What do other building owners think of their work? How long have they been doing commercial roofing in your area? A locally owned company is not a requirement, but local businesses depend on their reputation in the community, and it tends to show in how they treat customers after the job is done.

How to choose a commercial roofer: questions to ask before you hire

• Do you repair, maintain and replace my type of roofing system?
• Do you work on both flat and steep-slope roofs?
• Are you licensed in Tennessee and insured? Can I see your certificates of insurance?
• Which manufacturers are you certified with?
• Will your own crews do the work, or do you subcontract?
• Do you offer maintenance plans or inspections on request?
• Will I get a written proposal with photos of what you found?
• Can you provide references from other commercial customers?

Mobley Brothers is your local commercial roofer

Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation has been roofing in Tennessee since 2007. We are a GAF GoldElite Commercial contractor, licensed (Tennessee contractor license 59116) and insured, and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau at both offices. We install and repair TPO, EPDM and PVC membranes, commercial metal and architectural shingles, apply coatings over suitable existing TPO and EPDM roofs, and offer commercial roof maintenance plans. See what we do for commercial roofing in Knoxville and commercial roofing in Lebanon. Call our Lebanon office at (615) 455-3131 for Nashville and Middle Tennessee, or our Knoxville office at (865) 205-0800 for East Tennessee. You can also send us your details online and we will get back to you.