How COVID-19 Has Affected Commercial Roofing in Nashville

The COVID-19 pandemic affected every industry in the country—commercial roofing included. The roofing industry in Nashville went through a tough year. A tornado, derecho, and a pandemic all came together to put our patience and skills to the test. 

Though we were affected, our customers are still in need of inspections, maintenance, monitoring, and construction. Here are a few changes that we have noticed in our company and industry as a whole. 

Customers Now Budget with COVID-19 in Mind

As businesses experienced shutdowns, lower capacities, and employees working from home, they were forced to pause and re-evaluate their budgets. Their priorities inevitably changed, leaving them to consider where their money was going. Of course, there were pressing issues to be addressed first, such as changing operations to comply with regulations and protecting employees and customers. 

For the roofing industry, this meant that fewer projects were being scheduled. This shift proved to be only temporary, however, as companies have now begun to regain their footing. Some were able to take advantage of the government stimulus package, and others have now transitioned—and settled into—their new way of operating. It’s certain that another shift is in store as the pandemic dies down, and business returns to yet another new normal, but one thing rings true: commercial roofing services will always be necessary to maintain the integrity of a building. 

Construction is Moving as Normal, with Safety Precautions

Companies that are now dealing with vacant buildings, as their employees work from home, are taking this time as an opportunity to replace their commercial roofs or complete other large-scale renovations. With fewer people in the building, there are fewer disturbances throughout the workday. When it comes to maintenance services, many companies feared, rightfully so, that neglect could lead to costly damage down the line.

Commercial roofing contractors are taking extra safety measures on the job to ensure that they keep themselves, their teams, and their customers safe and healthy. Teams are carrying bottles of sanitizing solution, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and completing daily screenings. It’s crucial that we all keep each other’s safety at the forefront of everything we do. 

“Maxwell Roofing’s first priority is to keep our customers and employees safe. Additionally, we strive to always be of service to the customer. The pandemic has provided a new challenge, but our position remains the same,” says Kathleen Maxwell, Vice President of Sales.

We Have Added a New, Modified Service

As customers’ priorities have understandably changed throughout the pandemic, Maxwell Roofing noticed that some companies’ commercial roofing needs are now different, prompting us to design a service that fits their new operations. Many companies have fully vacant buildings at the moment that could sustain damage. Others are running at full capacity and are wholly focused on their teams and customers. And, for those in between, they may be running at lower capacity but have a facility manager on staff that can perform an inspection.  

To provide relief, we now offer Maxwell Monitors—a new, flexible monitoring service to help you look after your building while you’re away or tending to your business. This service includes a downloadable inspection checklist and scheduled inspections to monitor the health of your roof, whatever your current situation. 

“We are adapting to the new needs of the customer and are always open to input for how we can improve our services line. Our attempt to flex with the recent environment is evident in our new program, Maxwell Monitors. This service is a cost-effective approach allowing us to monitor your building, with a contactless option, so you can focus on your business and team,” adds Kathleen.

Roof Inspections, Maintenance, and Construction are Still Essential

The importance of regular maintenance can’t be overstated. While Nashville continues to face challenges, preventative maintenance and timely replacements can protect your building and make your commercial roofing budget stretch further. If you are unsure how commercial roofing fits into your budget, talk to your contractor about how you can modify your service to continue to maintain your roof’s integrity. 

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to schedule your next roofing inspection.

A Summer Checklist for Commercial Roof Maintenance

Have you begun preparing your commercial roof for the summer heat? Extreme heat and humidity can damage your roof if it’s not properly monitored, inspected, and repaired. The summer temperatures are rising fast, and we want to help you protect your commercial roof from premature replacement or costly damages. To help, we’ve put together a list of items for you and your team check when the summer heat creeps up on you. 

  • Identify any holes or damaged pieces. Even small damages could potentially make your roof vulnerable to leaks. Ensure that every piece of your roof is not properly secured.
  • Clean all debris. If you find any loose limbs, leaves, or other debris on your roof, remove it, so that it doesn’t block water drainage or attract pests.
  • Inspect your roof’s flashing. Identify any potential damage or irregularities in your roof’s flashing, as they may become increasingly worse over time and cause water damage. Pay particular attention to any spots that look loose or buckled.
  • Check your roof’s penetration areas. Identify any gaps in caulking around penetrations or masonry panel joints.
  • Look for water stains on the walls and ceilings. If you see any water stains in your building, this could indicate that your roof has a small existing leak that could become worse over time.
  • Schedule regular inspections with your contractor. Your commercial roofing partner can set up a regularly scheduled inspection to ensure that all maintenance is taken care of, issues are identified, and damages are repaired. This keeps your roofing investment lasting longer throughout harsh weather conditions.

The Importance of Regular Inspections

In any season, your best protection against harsh weather conditions is a regular inspection from your commercial roofing contractor. Self-inspections are important, as you can identify problem areas for your contractor to address; however, it’s crucial that your roofer is doing a more thorough inspection so that they can fix any issues prior to them becoming large-scale damages. This schedule ensures that your company’s commercial roof lasts as long as possible, making your roofing budget stretch further. At Maxwell, our customers rely on our MAXCare® program to stay on top of their roof maintenance, invoices, documentation, and more. 

Our New Service, Maxwell Monitors

As we noticed that our customers’ needs were changing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our team worked to design a new monitoring service, Maxwell Monitors. Whether your building is currently unoccupied or it’s business as usual, we have a service plan to ensure that your facility is monitored. This service offers monitoring plans as well as a downloadable inspection checklist that will help your team identify potential problems. We can monitor your building so that you can focus your time and energy on your employees, customers, and core functions.  

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to schedule an inspection.

Why The EDGE™ Estimating Software is Key to Consistency

John Maxwell, President of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., is all about quality. It’s the value that our company was built on from the beginning, and he carries it through day after day. A tool that helps us maintain our quality service standards is The EDGE. This estimating software allows our teams to quickly and accurately scope a project, saving us time that we can put back into serving our customers. 

A popular roofing contractor news site, Roofers Coffee Shop, interviewed our own John Maxwell to learn more about how our company began using this software and how it’s helped us in our day-to-day operations. Thanks to The EDGE, our team can provide customers with consistent estimates every time. The tool helps us analyze and calculate each job based on the same standards and pricing, ensuring that we are quoting accurately and quickly. 

“With The EDGE, we can afford to be very accurate because it speeds up our process and it allows us to be that detailed and that careful, while still being productive,” says Maxwell.

We invite you to read the full article on Roofers Coffee Shop’s website

 Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to request a quote.

5 Tips for Commercial Roof Budgeting During COVID-19

As companies evaluate their budgets amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: priorities have changed. You’re focused on changing business operations, health and safety regulations, and your employees’ and customers’ immediate needs. Throughout these constant changes, it may not feel like the year to invest in your commercial roof. However, continuing to invest in quality materials and consistent roof maintenance can prevent costly repairs down the road and improve the integrity of your building. 

To help you make room in your commercial roofing budget during COVID-19, here are a few things to consider. 

5 Commercial Roof Budgeting Tips 

1. Opt for a modified service.

If your current roofing services no longer fit your needs or are outside of your budget, consult with your commercial roofing partner to discuss new options. At Maxwell Roofing, for example, we saw a need for a new monitoring service that was flexible enough to mold to changing business operations.

Through Maxwell Monitors, we monitor your building so that you aren’t left to deal with surprise damages or repairs. Whether your building is currently unoccupied or it’s business as usual, there is a service plan to ensure that you have the help you need to maintain your facilities.

2. Talk with your roofing contractor about your budget.

The best commercial roofing contractors have your best interests in mind. If your budget is changing, your contractor can talk you through other possible options based on what your roof needs and how much your business can afford. Your roofing contractor is your partner, and as such, they succeed when you are satisfied with your service and your budget.

3. Focus heavily on inspections and maintenance.

Frequent roof inspections and maintenance are two areas that can reduce your budget significantly. By identifying potential issues and maintaining your roof, you are extending the lifespan of your roofing investment, saving you time and money. Your roofing contractor can help you set a maintenance schedule that works for your business.

4. Invest in quality materials and craftsmanship.

Quality materials and craftsmanship will both go a long way toward building a roof that will withstand the test of time. Investing in these things upfront will prevent untimely repairs and premature roof replacement, improving your budget for the long-term.

5. Work with a contractor that can streamline your project without sacrificing quality.

Contractors who have been in the commercial roofing industry for decades have fine-tuned their processes. Their teams are trained and prepared, they’ve seen every project and material type, and some even craft their materials in house. Partner with a roofing contractor with years of experience who can thoughtfully design your project and timeline, saving you money by not cutting corners and streamlining their processes. 

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to learn how we can help you adjust your commercial roofing services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.