Tag: government buildings

How to Plan for Maintenance on a Government Building’s Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Government buildings often experience high use and have to last many years beyond the normal lifespan of a different type of building. This makes regular maintenance an absolute necessity for government buildings. Planned maintenance is the most affordable and reliable way to improve the upkeep of government buildings, keeping them in excellent condition for years to come. Yet for many government agencies, planning maintenance can fall by the wayside. Here are a few tips for creating a maintenance plan that works for a government building’s roof:

Choose a trusted contractor.

Reputation and experience matter when it comes to government work. When government buildings need upgrades, choosing a contractor because of their stellar reputation and experience is just as important as going with the lowest price. Government agencies should pick roofers that are invested in the quality of their work and are committed to extending the life of the roof.

Get regular inspections.

Inspections are a painless first step towards proper maintenance. When done regularly, inspections are an inexpensive but essential way to help identify minor roof damage before it becomes a serious (and very expensive) problem. 

Get on a maintenance plan. 

Some roofing companies offer comprehensive maintenance plans for companies and organizations that own multiple buildings. These programs help building owners establish a schedule for routine inspections and maintenance. A regular maintenance plan can help minimize the risk of forgotten maintenance in the course of government turnover and ensure that roofs are cared for despite personnel changes. 

Don’t ignore repairs. 

When budgets are tight, it can be tempting to let small issues go unrepaired. While this may save some short-term budget pain, small roofing problems tend to become worse over time. Rather than putting off routine repairs, fixing problems while they are still minor will help save money over time.

Take advantage of new technology.

Technology has advanced dramatically when it comes to inspections and repairs. Roofing companies can use drones to quickly survey a roof without ever putting a worker on the building and causing a disruption. Roof inspectors can also use thermal imaging to check for moisture and potential leaks. This information can easily be incorporated into roofing reports to make building administration easier.

If you’re ready to learn more about how Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal can help with government roof maintenance, contact us today. Our team is ready to answer all of your questions. 

Does Your Courthouse Need a New Roof? Here’s What You Should Know

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Courthouse roofs often have unique architectural designs or historical significance. But, just like any other roof, a courthouse roof will eventually need repairing or replacing. Dealing with the maintenance on a historical building can be intimidating for many government agencies, but, fortunately, it’s still possible to maintain a building’s character with a new roof.

If your courthouse is aging and in need of repairs or a new roof, here is what you should know:

1. Focus on maintenance first.

The best way to keep any roof functioning is to keep it well-maintained. Before replacing an architecturally complex or historically significant roof, the building owners should see what they can do to retain the materials that are already there. Small repairs or partial replacements can go a long way and help even the oldest roofs outlast their expected lifespans.

2. Weigh material options carefully.

In the event that a courthouse roof does need to be replaced, there are plenty of modern materials that can add benefits to the building. A quality roofing company can help government agencies balance the goal of maintaining a building’s historic character with other important roofing objectives like energy efficiency and durability. New roofing technology can help provide a building with the durability it needs, while still creating a striking look.

3. Give extra consideration to design.

Even in the event that a courthouse roof needs to be completely replaced, good design shouldn’t be sacrificed. Design consultations are included in our custom roof jobs at Maxwell Roofing. Our sheet metal fabrication shop also allows us to recreate unique architectural elements that may not be available through other roof companies.

4. Get on a new maintenance plan immediately.

Following a roof replacement, a government agency’s main goal is going to be to make their new roof last as long as possible. The best way to ensure that a roof lasts as long as possible is to regularly maintain it. Getting started right away with ongoing inspections and continuing with routine repairs is critical to ensure the new courthouse roof lasts for its expected lifespan. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

Government Roofing Services: 5 Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

When government agencies hire a contractor, they are bound by strict rules surrounding pricing, but there is very little guidance about how to choose the best company for the job. 

As a specialized industry, roofing can be difficult to navigate. And, for government agencies that don’t have specialized roofing experience, it’s often hard to know what separates the good roofing companies for the bad ones. 

Here are five questions every government agency should ask roofing companies before contracting with them:

Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor

1. How long have you been in business?

Roofing is a competitive business, and only the most reliable companies are able to last over time. Roofers with a long history in their community are more likely to have done right by their customers. For government agencies, reliability is key to ensuring that roofing work is done right and up to code.

2. What safety measures do you take?

Government agencies must be careful that any contractor they hire adheres to OSHA standards and any state safety laws. The best roofing companies perform hazard assessments before and during construction projects to keep workers safe and prevent accidents. Be sure to ask potential contractors about what sort of safety training workers receive and how they mitigate risks during projects. 

3. What documentation do you provide?

Not all roofing companies pay as much attention to reporting and documentation as government agencies will require. Government agencies must be able to provide clear documentation of any work done on their buildings and have a clear accounting of what was paid for in order to comply with records requirements. Agencies looking for a new roofing contractor should always ask about how companies track their work rather than assume they have a system in place. 

4. Can your company work on a flexible schedule to avoid a disturbance?

Government buildings often need to remain open to allow the public access to services. In many cases, roofing construction can cause a disturbance or force buildings to close. Agencies searching for a contractor should always ask what sort of accommodations the roofing company is willing to make to allow their building to function as normally as possible.

5. Do you offer maintenance plans?

Many roofing companies focus on construction and repairs, but regular preventative maintenance is just as important. Preventative maintenance is what keeps a roof healthy enough to last for its entire expected lifespan. When government agencies hire contractors for roof work, it’s important to consider costs over the life of the roof. Hiring a contractor that offers a roof management or maintenance plan is a great way to save money over time and care for the agency’s investment in their roof.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

5 Tips for Choosing a Commercial Roofing Contractor for Government Buildings

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Government buildings have a number of unique needs that complicate the process of choosing a commercial roofing contractor. Not only are reliability and price of the utmost importance for government agencies, but all work done on a building must be well-documented for proper accountability. 

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has worked on all kinds of government building roofs, and we understand the challenges of finding the right contractor for government projects. Here are some tips for finding the right roofing contractor for your government agency or building.

1. Keep your search local.

Construction is a local business. Contractors within the same area as the building know what a roof needs to hold up to the weather and where to get materials in a timely manner. They will also be familiar with building codes and any other local laws that govern buildings. It’s critical that government buildings are always up to code and properly maintained, and a local business is the best equipped to provide that.

2. Go with a reputable company.

A commercial roofing company is only as good as its reputation. Contractors with years of experience and good reviews get to that point by doing good work. For a government building, it’s important to get a contractor that has experience with similar jobs. Seek out commercial roofing companies that have done government work, and get recommendations before settling on the best option.

3. The lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value.

Government agencies are custodians of taxpayer money and should spend it responsibly. Sometimes, that may mean taking the lowest price offered by a contractor. But, to get the best value for the money, government agencies should consider other factors. A more expensive roof may last longer, or a contractor may offer a package deal that includes both roof construction and long-term maintenance. 

4. Ask about documentation.

Some roofers do a great job on construction but are not well organized on the back end. This can create serious problems for government agencies that need clear documentation of what work was done and paid for. Before choosing a contractor for government work, ask about their reporting process and ensure it meets the legal requirements for the agency paying for the work. Depending on location, commercial buildings require a specific level of licensing from the roofing contractor, as well as high-level insurance requirements. Proof of such prior to bid should be important! 

5. Think for the long-term.

When choosing a commercial roofing contractor you should consider the roof’s entire lifecycle. Getting a “good value roof” is not just about construction. Preventative maintenance is critical to making a roof last for its expected lifespan. Government agencies should consider roofing companies that offer roof management programs. These programs—like Maxwell’s MAXCare®—manage a roof over its entire lifespan, automatically scheduling inspections and maintenance and allowing customers to plan out their long-term budgets. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

5 Common Questions About Roof Construction for State and Federal Buildings

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roof construction for state and federal buildings can be a difficult thing to arrange. Many government buildings must remain open to the public during construction, making roof replacement or roof repair inconvenient.

Here are a few common questions that facility managers at state and federal buildings have about their roofing services.

Common Questions About Roof Construction for State and Federal Buildings

1. What kind of roof is best for a government building?

Many of the same techniques and roofing materials used in commercial roof construction will work for government buildings. To save money, many government agencies will choose a low-slope roof, which is usually significantly cheaper than a sloped roof. EPDM roofs and built-up roofs put over a roof membrane are some of the most popular types of low-slope (or flat) roofs, because they are cost-effective and easy to maintain.

Some public government buildings—like courthouses or legislative buildings—may be best suited by something flashier like a metal roof, which is durable and provides a dramatic look to a building. Other government agencies may need to consider regulations on building energy efficiency and may choose a green roof or a cool roof.

2. How much of a disturbance will roofing installation cause?

Commercial roofing can be very disruptive, but at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., we work with our customers to schedule construction around the needs of the building and to reduce construction noise. Maxwell Roofing applies this same level of customer service to the long-term maintenance of the roof. If your building winds up needing work, Maxwell will ensure that it doesn’t disturb the day-to-day management of the building.

3. Can a new roof help drive down energy costs?

Some older government buildings may have poorly insulated roofs that drive up energy costs. During a re-roof, a roofing contractor can do several things to improve energy efficiency, which may help government agencies save money in the long term. Certain roof systems for commercial buildings can reflect light away from the roof to reduce cooling costs or accommodate solar panels to generate electricity.

4. Will my roofing contractor meet state and federal safety guidelines?

Any reputable roofing company will meet state and federal guidelines on insurance and workplace safety. Long-standing companies like Maxwell Roofing provide regular training to their employees to ensure that they stay safe on the job and to reduce the risk of an accident. Choosing a company with a good reputation that can provide safety credentials is the only sure-fire way to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and protect your agency from legal trouble down the road. 

5. What are the advantages of a full-service roofing company?

Full-service roofing companies offer in-house sheet metal fabrication, roof construction and inspections and maintenance plans for the life of the roof. These programs, like Maxwell’s MAXCare® are an excellent choice for state and federal government agencies with multiple buildings to manage. Full-service roofing companies can help government agencies save money over the time by bundling services. These programs also help busy facility managers with multiple buildings stick to a maintenance schedule so that their roofs last for years to come.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

A Quick Guide to Rooftop Preventative Maintenance for Government Agencies

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

When a government agency invests in its buildings, it’s investing the taxpayer’s money. This makes it even more important that the agency makes cost-effective purchases that last. To help building managers make lasting investments, we’ve put together the following quick guide for government agencies and rooftop preventative maintenance.

1. Why focus on inspection and maintenance?

Taking good care of a roof is the most efficient and effective way to save money on building costs. Even a well-constructed roof system needs monitoring and occasional repairs to last it’s full, expected lifespan. For government agencies, the best roofing solution is one that utilizes frequent inspections and maintenance plans in order to save money over time. Fixing small problems along the way can stave off the need for major repairs and prevent weather-related accidents. 

2. Why a maintenance plan is so important.

“Performing roof maintenance” isn’t something that just happens. It requires careful planning and budgeting. Government agencies are not built for facility management, so it’s important to find a professional roofer to help plan maintenance. A maintenance plan includes a schedule for inspections and estimates on budgets and repairs. 

3. Different types of roofs require different approaches to maintenance.

Different types of roof installations will require different approaches to maintenance. Many government agencies have buildings with a traditional flat roof or thermoplastic membranes, but historic buildings or energy-efficient buildings may have something more complex. Some local and state governments are beginning to consider green roofs for new buildings. It’s important to consider the cost of maintenance on more specialized roofs such as these.

4. Choose a trusted roofing partner.

A good roofing contractor will be capable of building a quality roof and then inspecting and maintaining it over the course of its entire life. Choosing a reputable roofing company that has experience with other federal, state, and local government agencies is key to developing a maintenance plan that will save money over time. 

5. Save on costs with a long-term management program.

Administrators at agencies with multiple buildings may want to consider a roof management program like Maxwell’s MAXCare®. MAXCare® provides monitoring, maintenance, and budget forecasting across an entire real-estate portfolio. The program also offers discounts for inspections and repairs.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

4 OSHA Standards Your Roofing Contractor Must Follow for Government Buildings

Posted on by David Maxwell

Since commercial roofing is a high-risk industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carefully regulates commercial roof systems and the work done to them. Thus, government agencies must be particularly careful about choosing companies that comply with OSHA standards.

Civic, state, and federal government agencies that are on the search for a commercial roofing company should pay attention to the OSHA standards commercial roofs must adhere to in order to ensure they are choosing a safe and reputable contractor. Here are the basic OSHA safety regulations that any roofing company should follow:

1. Fall Protection

The single most important roofing safety requirement is to provide fall protection equipment and training. In construction, OSHA requires fall protection for any employee at risk of falling more than six feet. Fall protection includes things like guardrails, toe boards, and, in certain situations, safety harnesses and ropes. Workers who will be working with fall protection equipment are also required to have job hazard training. This training should be documented and certified to prove that it was performed. 

2. Eliminating Surface Hazards

OSHA requires companies to ensure that their workers have a safe surface to work on. This includes clearing roofs of slip hazards such as ice and ensuring that a roof is structurally sound enough to walk on. For government agencies that need building roof work that is structurally unsound for walking, it’s important to ensure that your roofing company has the equipment and expertise to keep their workers safe under dangerous conditions.

3. Covering Roof Holes and Impalement Hazards

Falling off a roof is not the only danger that roofers face. Buildings often have impalement hazards—or exposed construction materials or building equipment—that need to be covered while workers are on a roof. Roof penetrations like skylights also need to be covered or surrounded by guard rails to prevent workers from falling through them. 

4. Keeping Work Materials Close

Climbing up and down a roof exposes workers to danger. So, to minimize risk, OSHA requires roofers to keep any construction materials they need close to where the construction is taking place on the roof. 

Reputable roofing companies will already have these safety protocols in place. So, be sure to ask your contractor about their compliance with OSHA standards.

If you’re ready to find out how you can implement the proper safety protocols on your commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

4 Ways to Proactively Prolong Government Building Roofs

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

For busy government agencies and their budgeting committees, roof maintenance may not always be at the top of the priorities list. However, roof maintenance can’t go unchecked—no matter the industry. Especially for government facilities that are regularly used each day, proactive management can greatly extend a roof’s lifespan. 

Here are a few ways in which government agencies can save money over time by proactively maintaining their building rooftops:

1. Avoid unexpected repairs with inspections.

Government roofing repair can be difficult or costly, as many civic, state, or federal buildings are often older facilities with outdated materials or technology. The best way to avoid a big roof repair expense is to get the roof regularly inspected for problems. Small roofing issues can be easy to fix, but they can turn into major leaks, resulting in a costly and emergency repair, if left alone.

2. Make an inspection and maintenance plan.

A government roof inspection contractor should have a clear schedule for inspections and recommended maintenance. Most government facility roofing is similar to a typical commercial roof and should follow a similar schedule. These recommendations are based on the average lifespan of a commercial roof and following them can help prevent a roof from wearing out too quickly.

3. Start right away.

Before selecting a government roof installation contractor for a new building, find out if the company also offers a long-term roof management plan. These plans—like Maxwell Roofing’s MAXCare®—roll construction, maintenance, and repairs together in one program for easy budget planning. These programs are a simplified way for government agencies to manage numerous buildings at once and ensure that their budget is always prepared to handle their roofing needs. The sooner you start maintaining a roof, the longer it will last.

4. Make proactive building updates.

Roofing has come a long way since many government buildings were constructed. There’s plenty of new materials, services, and technologies that can help government agencies save on electricity costs or protect their buildings. Working with an experienced government roof installation contractor, government agencies can identify which upgrades will help prolong the lifespan of facility roofs and save money over time. 

 If you’re ready to find out how you can prolong the life of your civic, state, or federal building rooftops, don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.