The first step in any commercial roofing project is to gather proposals and bids from contractors. For the uninitiated, it can be difficult to know what to look for in a proposal and how to recognize a skilled, legitimate commercial roofing contractor. We’ve put together this guide to help building owners properly evaluate a commercial roof proposal and decide on a contractor for their project:
What’s included in a proposal?
All commercial roofing proposals should include a scope of work, budget, and additional information specific to the job. In a bidding situation, these three basic elements will allow businesses to compare roofing companies. Every bid should include the same terms and scope of work in order to be fairly compared. Commercial roofing proposals should also contain:
- Materials and material grades: Higher quality materials usually drive up the price of a quote. It’s important to make sure that you are being quoted for the best materials for the job. A low bid may be priced lower because it uses substandard materials.
- Clean-up terms: Waste disposal and post-work tidying may seem like a given for a roofing job, but not all roofing companies include this in their work. Check to ensure that the terms of the clean-up are specifically laid out in the proposal. This way, your company isn’t left with a mess once the work is done.
- Warranty: Reputable roofing companies stand behind their work. If something goes wrong and a commercial roof does not function as expected, your business needs to have the reassurance that the issue will be addressed. Make sure the terms of the warranty are laid out explicitly in the proposal to protect your investment in a commercial roof.
Additional Roofing Considerations
Information about the roofing company and its past work isn’t always included in a standard proposal, but this information should be an important part of your decision. Look for commercial roofing contractors with at least ten years in business that can offer referrals from their previous clients. Ask for every company’s safety record and make sure that they carry the appropriate insurance for your job.
Choosing a Proposal
With your bids in hand and any additional information you’ve gathered about the company, you can begin to compare commercial roofing proposals. Make a list of the terms that are most important and create a pro and con list. Often, bids look very similar. In this case, it’s best to choose the company with the best customer service and track record.
If you’re ready to get started with the bidding process for a commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is here to walk you through the entire proposal process.