Choosing a commercial roofing contractor matters more than choosing the roof system. The same membrane can last decades or fail early depending on who installs it.
Check these before anything else
- License: confirm it with your state licensing board, not the contractor’s website
- Insurance: ask for general liability and workers’ compensation certificates sent directly from the insurer
- Manufacturer standing: manufacturers certify installers for their warranties. Ask which manufacturers certify this contractor.
- Commercial experience: ask for three projects of similar size and system, with contacts you can call
- Safety record: ask how they protect workers and tenants on an occupied building
Questions to ask in the bid meeting
- Will you take core samples or run a moisture survey before you price the job?
- How will you detail drains, curbs and parapet walls?
- Who will be on site every day, and who is my single point of contact?
- How do you keep the building watertight at the end of each day?
- What exactly does the warranty cover, and who issues it?
Red flags
- A price given without anyone walking the roof
- Pressure to sign the same day
- A large deposit before materials are ordered
- No written scope, or a scope that says only “replace roof”
- Reluctance to put warranty terms in writing
Comparing proposals
Line up bids on the same scope before you compare totals. Our guide to replacement cost explains which line items to check, and the replacement guide walks through what a good project looks like from start to finish.