V.A. Morelli Construction Inc.

Workplace Mold and Sick Building Syndrome

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:19:11 +0000

Many years ago, the term “sick building” was a little more in the public eye than it has been as of late. No, it doesn’t mean a building has a cold, the flu, or sore throat. The term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) describes situations whereby building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building. However, no specific illness or cause can be readily identified. Complaints may be relegated to a particular room or zone, or may be more widespread. Others sometime refer to “building related illness” (BRI). This term is used when the symptoms are diagnosable and an illness is identified. To have a BRI - the source of the illness can be directly attributable to airborne building contaminants.

A commercial roofing contractor understands the importance of a quality installation which includes eliminating areas where moisture and other contaminants can breach the roofing system. The roofing contractor also understands the importance of excellent ventilation.

From the Environmental Protection Agency:

A 1984 World Health Organization Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ). Often this condition is temporary, but some buildings have long-term problems. Frequently, problems result when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air problems are a result of poor building design or occupant activities.

Indicators of Sick Building Syndrome:

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
The cause of the symptoms is not known.
Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.

Indicators of Building Related Illness:

Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough; chest tightness; fever, chills; muscle aches
The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes.
Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building.

There are as many potential causes for Sick Building Syndrome, which may include:

Inadequate ventilation
Chemical contaminants from indoor sources
Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources
Biological contaminants, including mold

Recently, concerns about mold and fungi growing in indoor environments have caused major concern and protest among various building-related trades and businesses. Adding fuel to this fire - insurance companies and various governmental agencies (particularly OSHA) are also in the mix. Trying to prevent and/or mitigate workplace mold can be time-consuming, disruptive, and expensive.

Molds can grow on virtually any surface as long as moisture, oxygen, and an organic source are present. Molds proliferate by creating spores (viable seeds) that usually cannot be seen without the aid of magnification. Mold spores continually float through the indoor and outdoor air.

Molds are usually not a problem unless mold spores land on a damp spot and begin to grow. They digest whatever they land on in order to survive and spread. Molds can grow on: paper, wood, food, carpeting, upholstery, food, insulation, etc. The list of of places where mold can settle in and “set up shop” is virtually endless. There are even molds that can live on the very dust and dirts that gather in the moist regions of a building on a daily basis.

When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth often will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains uncorrected. One of the most difficult places to discover workplace mold is in the roofing system! The high protection that we take for granted every day is often “out of sight - out of mind.” Unless regular inspections are undertaken, it can be a long time - time for molds to take serious hold and spread - before it’s discovered. While it is impossible to eliminate all molds and spores, controlling moisture goes a long way towards controlling indoor mold growth. A quality roofing system using the latest technology is one of the best defenses against workplace mold!

Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. If left unchecked, mold can eventually cause structural damage to wood framed buildings, weakening floors, walls, and roofing decks as it feeds on moist wooden structural members. If you suspect that mold has damaged building integrity, consult a structural engineer or other professional with the appropriate expertise at once.

Since mold requires water/moisture to grow, it is important to prevent excessive moisture in commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings. Many of today’s moisture problems in buildings are linked to changes in building construction practices since the 1970s. Those changes, which resulted in tightly sealed buildings with dramatically reduced ventilation, contributed to moisture vapor buildup. Buildings need to breathe! Other moisture problems may result from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under a building, or unvented combustion appliance. Delayed or insufficient maintenance may contribute to moisture problems in buildings. We wrote about the recent “stop-gap” measure of installing ceiling drains in our article “It Pays to Act Now, Not Later.” Such cheap repairs can actually hasten the development of mold by introducing more moisture into the building.

In the event that mold growth is identified in a building - remediation and cleanup is absolutely necessary.

So, if your roof is outdated and/or you know that your roofing system is in need of upgrade or replacement - you may need to take a look at taking care of that issue now. The potential liability associated with workplace mold, particularly if it causes your employees or customers serious health issues, will cost far more to your organization than your investment in the latest roofing systems available to you.

If you’re an organization in the Philadelphia, Buck County, Berks County, Montgomery County, the Lehigh Valley and many of the other surrounding regions - please give us at V.A. Morelli Construction, Inc. a call today and see how we can tend to your building’s roofing needs.

Today’s EPDM Roofing System: Environmentally Conscious

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:14:27 +0000

Our last segment on environmentally friendly roofing system options detailed metal roofing systems. Today’s article discusses rubber roofing systems, specifically, EPDM.

The Technical Stuff:

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or Terpolymer) is simply a product consisting of three distinct monomers. EPDM is classified as a Thermoset material. This means it is either fully-cured prior to being installed or that it cures during natural weathering after installation. EPDM roofs are single-ply membranes (only one-ply of roofing material) and not multiple plies laminated together.

EPDM, one of the common types of low-slope roofing materials, has been in use on roofs in the United States of America since the 1960’s and is one of the most common types of low-slope roofing materials. It is relatively inexpensive. It is simple to install. It is relatively clean to work with compared to conventional built-up roofs. Further, it doesn’t emit the odors and fumes that are often associated with built-up roofing systems. Vulcanized EPDM is the most common type of EPDM roofing system. Non-vulcanized EPDM is typically used for flashing purposes.

EPDM membrane thickness ranges from 30-mils (0.030″) to 100-mils (0.100″) with the most common thicknesses being 45-mils (0.045″) and 60-mils (0.060″). There are three standard application procedures: (1) fully-adhered; (2) mechanically-fastened; (3) loose-laid.

Fully-adhered EPDM uses water-based or solvent-based adhesives to adhere the EPDM rubber to the substrate.
Mechanically-fastened EPDM is attached to the substrate by manufacturer-approved mechanical methodology.
Loose-laid membranes are secured only at the perimeters and any penetrations. A ballast of round river rock or concrete pavers is used to hold the materials in place. The river rock is usually installed at a rate of 1000 - 1200 pounds per square (100 square feet of roofing surface) and the pavers typically weigh 20-pounds per square foot. Structural integrity is of paramount importance with a loose-laid roof system. The seams are sealed using either an adhesive or a splicing tape.

EPDM roofing is an efficient rubber roof style used on low-slope roofing surfaces. It is great for preventing leaks and is often installed for roofs that have problems with weathering, failing joints, and inflexibility.

EPDM Functionality:

EPDM is made of ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber. This type of rubber is advantageous in that it doesn’t pollute run-off water. As a result, the water that falls off EPDM roofs can be reused for sanitary purposes (for example: roof cleaning, watering a garden or lawn). This water can be reused or recycled with little or no treatment for landscape irrigation and other non-potable uses (often referred to as “gray water”). This is why EPDM roofing systems also fall into the eco-friendly and/or “green” category of roofing options.

EPDM History:

As previously mentioned, EPDM has been used in roofs since the 1960s. During the 1990s, the attention to environment came to mainstream consciousness and recycling of EPDM started. Today, there are over one-billion square feet of EPDM roofs installed every year. More than twenty-billion EPDM roofs currently exist.

EPDM Benefits:

Highly dependable, economically beneficial, high durability, and high efficiency makes EPDM an attractive option to any building owner looking to a commercial, industrial, and institutional roofing contractor for a new roof or an upgrade to the existing roofing system. Additionally, an EPDM roof will often come with long warranty, low maintenance requirements, low installation labor costs, and generally garner rather easy code approvals. For regions subject to potentially catastrophic weather experiences, such as hurricanes - EPDM roofs have very high resistance, making them quite practical for those who live in those areas.

EPDM is Environmentally Friendly:

EPDM roofs are highly resistant to weathering, ozone, and surface damage. It is flexible in cold weather and still has high fire & heat resistance. EPDM is a sound choice for low-slope roofs and flat roofs that need to be waterproof and durable against the elements. With EPDM roofing, you will have little repair work, no leakage, and a secure roof over your head.

For those seeking eco-friendly, environmentally friendly options, the EPDM rubber roofing system substantially reduces the carbon footprint of a commercial or industrial building in a several ways. The lifespan of a rubber roof is up to 5-times longer than a felt roof. It lasts as much as 3-times longer than an asphalt roof. The installation of an EPDM roofing system is significantly more eco-friendly today. It doesn’t require the dangerous, lengthy use of heat and flames. Add to those benefits the facts that EPDM rubber sheet roofing provides outstanding thermal properties and is a most reliable sealant against water penetration, and you’re left with a fantastic choice in roofing systems with an eye on limiting the environmental impact.

We hope you’ll consider us strongly for your commercial, industrial, or institutional roofing needs. As a reliable and effective roofing contractor in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and many other surrounding areas, we believe our commitment to total customer satisfaction, our reliability, and our track record is one that will impress you. Please give us a call today or drop us an email using our convenient request-for-quotation page. Thank you!

Recycling for the Environment: Metal Roofing Systems

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:10:19 +0000

Another one of the many environmentally conscious efforts in the commercial, industrial, and institutional roofing industry is using materials made from recycled content and/or may be recyclable in the future when replaced. Our previous installment on environmental advances in roofing systems was the TPO roofing system. We continue our series of eco-friendly roofing systems by discussing the metal roof. Since we want to be your #1 choice for a roofing contractor, it is another of the many systems we offer to our clients in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

With the ever-expanding focus on protecting the environment, metal roofing options have grown by leaps and bounds within the roofing community. Metal roofing systems have a number of positives associated with them. Though the initial costs of such a roof are often higher than some other options, the long-term investment potential cannot be overlooked. Already, roofing systems made of steel offer one of the lowest life-cycle costs of any roofing material. In addition to being very long lasting, they can provide substantial energy savings for buildings, and they increase a structure’s resale value. In addition to energy savings of as much 40% (or more, depending upon your location), it can also reduce a building owner’s insurance premiums.

Unlike their metal counterparts, non-metal roofing systems may begin deteriorating just as soon as they are installed and become exposed to the elements. Wind, ultraviolent rays from the sun, winds, dramatic changes in temperatures - all have a higher impact on non-metal roofs versus metal roofs. It worst-case scenarios, the impact of the elements can dramatically decrease the service life of these systems. Depending upon the system chosen, the typical life-span of the non-metal roof is somewhere in the neighborhood of 15- and 20-years. Conversely, a metal roof can last as much as 3 times that long, depending on style, quality, and workmanship. Aesthetically, metal roofs come in a an expanding variety of designs, colors, and styles. Ask us about the options available to you.

Available metal roof materials include aluminum, steel, and copper… with the most common types being the steel and aluminum. All are available in a myriad of thicknesses but are most commonly 24-gauge steel and 1/32″ aluminum. Each type is incredibly durable and surprisingly easy to work with. This makes them a fantastic choice for both V.A. Morelli Construction, Inc. and our clients!

According to the American Iron and Steel Institute:

Steel roofing systems are also more environmentally efficient than other alternatives. Industry-wide, the overall recycling rate for steel is 68 percent – higher than paper, plastic and glass. And while most other materials are degraded in the recycling process, steel can be recycled over and over again without ever losing quality. Steel roofing systems in particular are 100 percent recyclable, and many manufacturers use as much as 50 percent recycled materials in fabricating their product.

Additional benefits associated with metal roofing systems:

They don’t warp, crack, rot, curl, split, break, burn, or blow off.
Most resistant to adverse conditions like hail, wind, freezing/thawing, high-temps.
Available in wide variety of styles, patterns, designs, and colors. It looks incredible!
Lightweight - most styles are less than one-third the weight of asphalt systems.
Energy efficient - can lower your utilities costs and increase employee comfort.
Low maintenance.
Long lasting and durable.
Long warranty, some as long as 50-years!
May reduce the cost of your building insurance and may increase the re-sale value of the structure.

Please give us a call and see if a metal roofing system will work for your organization.

Economic Stimulus: Tax Breaks for Commercial Roofing Systems

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:52:33 +0000

Did you know? You do now! The economic stimulus package offers federal tax deductions for commercial buildings. Yes, your Philadelphia commercial roofing contractor can even offer the occasional tax tip.

A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. The systems must be or have been placed in service from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013 to qualify for the federal tax breaks. On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law a five-year extension of the deduction through December 31, 2013. The extension was included in HR 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 which passed the Senate on October 1 by a vote of 74-25 and by the House on October 3 by a vote of 263-171.

A full deduction of up to $1.80/sf is available if it can be certified that the combined energy and power costs will be reduced by at least 50 percent. A partial deduction of up to $0.60/sf can be taken for those projects achieving energy improvements that don’t reach the 50% threshold for the full deduction. To qualify, the particular system must be certified to reduce total building energy and power costs by at least 16.67 percent. The deduction is prorated by the amount of reduction between $0.60 and $1.80/sf.

What about Pennsylvania state tax benefits?

In addition to potential tax benefits for building new or upgrading existing building which exist in our state, the commonwealth’s new, $25 million High Performance Building program will provide grants and loans to families and businesses constructing or renovating buildings that meet standards that measure a building’s overall sustainability. The program’s guidelines were approved just this week by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, a great incentive for commercial roofing projects in the Philadelphia area.

Funds are available to anyone building or renovating a primary residence and to businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

Loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses; the maximum loan for an individual residential project is $100,000. Grants are not to exceed $500,000, or 10 percent, of total eligible costs, whichever is less. Applicants may apply for a grant or a loan, but not both.

The CFA also may provide loan guarantees not to exceed $2 million for a business and $100,000 for an individual.

Applicants may use the funds to acquire the land, buildings, rights-of-way and easements that are necessary to build an eligible project; to clear and prepare land; for planning, designing, modeling or consulting services; to register and certify the project with the U.S. Green Building Council; or for construction and renovation.

Costs incurred prior to the approval of a project are ineligible.

Environmentally Friendly TPO White Roof Systems

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:07:56 +0000

After our article discussing Green Roofing Systems, we bring you another in our ongoing series of environmentally-friendly roofing options in the Philadelphia area. The TPO White Roofing System.

When your roof begins to fail, the typical response will be to manage what starts off as a small leak. One small leak turns into several leaks. The unseen damage can begin to take an even bigger toll. The roof decking has been compromised. Mold may start to develop. Steel decking will begin to rust and weaken. Tiny holes become larger holes and then bigger holes still. It’s not long before you are spending many labor hours trying to manage leak sources and protecting the internal parts of your business critical to efficient operation: file systems, server and IT rooms, computers, desks and furniture, carpeting, ceiling tiles - the list of risks is endless.

It’s time to replace your 10-year old, 20-year old, 25-year old (or more) roofing system. Aside from being outdated technology - it’s failing and putting your operation at risk. Today’s technology is state-of-the-art, using advanced materials and coatings. These technological advances have several major advantages over the traditional roofing materials that likely comprise your current roofing system. Better still - it can provide a significant return on your investment.

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing membranes have been available for more than 10-years and have become one of the most popular single-ply membranes for commercial roofing applications. Additionally, reflective white TPO has the potential to provide a significant return on a building owner’s investment by aiding in the sometimes significant reduction in energy costs.

Life-cycle costing is a mix of the following four criteria, where average cost of each component is factored in and projected over a 10-year period or over the period equal to the anticipated length of the roofing warranty:

Actual installation costs.
Actual energy costs (i.e. yearly air-conditioning costs).
On-going maintenance costs.
Leak and repair costs.

Installation costs are only a small portion of the bigger picture when it comes to evaluating potential roofing systems. Too often, clients focus on the membrane or material square-foot price rather than the installed cost of the roofing system. Truth be told, less expensive roofing materials require significantly more labor to install than the more expensive ones. Also important to consider is that a low initial cost could turn into a high priced re-roof or tear-off much sooner in the future than anticipated. To get a true understanding of the cost, building owners need to take the installed cost and not simply the material price into consideration.

One often overlooked but very important component in the life-cycle equation is the color of the roofing surface. A white or light-colored roof (called reflective roofing systems) which reflects the sun’s energy play an important role in reducing the building’s long-term energy (heating and air-conditioning) costs. Traditional black roof systems convert the sun’s light energy into heat that saps a building’s air-conditioning efficiency and effectiveness. The roof’s surface approaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit! Understand that this unwanted heat will be transferred into the building, creating a greater strain on air-conditioning. This, in turn, means higher energy requirements and additional costs for the building’s owner.

The facts and figures support the predicted cost savings. Factored over a 10-year period, a white roofing system in hot, southern states can save an estimated $250,000+ in energy costs alone when compared to a black-surfaced roof. The same model shows a savings of over $35,000 in colder climates (such as the Philadelphia area) from a white-surfaced roof vs. a black. The computer model, funded by a manufacturer of white roofing systems, compares white and black roofing systems for a 100,000-square-foot, air-conditioned building. As this data indicates, energy savings decline the further north a building is located, but savings are still significant enough to warrant the evaluation of energy-efficient roof materials even in the northern states. We’re doing more and more of these white-roofing systems every year. Since light-colored roofing is energy efficient, it allows designers of new buildings to consider other cost-saving advantages such as smaller air-conditioners, or eliminate air-conditioning altogether!

Depending on the roofing system selected, on-going maintenance can be an expensive annual budget item for building owners who choose the incorrect roofing system. Typical maintenance for a TPO roofing system is fairly minimal and really only involves making sure that roof drains remain free and clear so that the roof can shed water efficiently. It is recommended to check drains at least twice each year, usually in the early spring and in the late fall, and after any major storms. In addition, as with any type of roof system, annual roof inspections are recommended.

If a TPO roof becomes damaged, repairs are relatively easy to make since the membrane remains thermoplastic and heat-weldable throughout its life. Repair costs can be incurred any time during the roof’s life where the damage is not covered by the roofing warranty. This includes damage to the roof caused by maintenance personnel. Depending on the type of roof, costs can include removing wet materials, repairing the deck, replacing wet insulation, and even tearing off the old roofing system.

The decision on which roofing system to choose should take into account all factors, not just the dollar figure. These should, as appropriate, the immediate cost, the current roofing system on the building, the building design, and the experience and recommendations of our experts. The way to make the best decision is to take into account all the installation and maintenance costs and don’t forget to factor in the potential energy savings of each option. This is the best way to make an informed decision and get a clear picture of the true cost of a roofing system. Armed with the appropriate information, your decision will make the best sense in the long run for your organization’s future.

Next in our series: Metal Roofing Systems…

Green Roofing Alternatives: Commercial, Industrial, Institutional

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:35:33 +0000

Foremost on everyone’s mind nowadays are ways to reduce our “carbon footprint.” We see terms thrown about such as: eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, and “green” systems in every conceivable industry. The same holds true in the roofing industry, be the project commercial, industrial, institutional, and even residential roofing.

There are several ways to go about installing roofing systems that are environmentally friendly in the Philadelphia area. Today’s focus will be on truly green roofing systems which focus on installations that include plantings and soil systems as part of the overall project.

There are as many different approaches to such systems as there are businesses, states, counties, and communities. What works best will depend on your locale. The types of plant varieties chosen will direct how we install the necessary depth of the soil system required to sustain it. It guides the design of the overall project. The roof deck’s structural capacity must be the first consideration and the National Roofing Contractors Association divides green roofing systems into three distinct categories:

Extensive (or Shallow): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium approximately 2- to 6-inches deep.
Semi-Intensive (or Moderate Depth): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium approximately 6- to 10-inches deep.
Intensive (or Deep): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium more than 10-inches deep.

A green roofing system is a combination of waterproofing and roofing concepts. As the roof will have moisture present within the system, both must be taken into account. Waterproofing the membrane will be appropriate and necessary in these circumstances. We have the ability to consider the following design and installation options (among others):

APP and SBS polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes.
EPDM membranes.
PVC membranes.
Hot-fluid-applied polymer modified asphalt membranes.
One- and two-component fluid-applied elastomeric membranes.

The one chosen will depend on the structure and desired effect that the client wishes to see, and we can conference with you every step of the way. When a project like this is completed, aside from the aesthetic beauty of the green roofing system (see pictures below), the following performance and environmental improvements are possible:

Increased thermal efficiency (and lower utility costs).
Noise reduction.
Extended roofing system service life.
Improved storm water management.
Increased efficiency of photovoltaic panels.

With society focusing now more than ever on environmentally-friendly concepts, we anticipate our clients and our business to increase in these types of initiatives. Our company strives to be kind to the environment. We have available to our clients just such roofing systems to achieve that goal. Please contact us today to find out if one our eco-friendly roofing systems will meet your requirements.

Clients such as hotel chains, hospitals, landscaping businesses, among others are interested in these types of green roofing systems. Maybe you should be, too.

Stay tuned for our next segment on environmentally-friendly roofing systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas: The TPO White Roofing System. In the meantime, take a look at some of these vegetative roofs:

Photos courtesy of:

It Pays to Act Now, Not Later: Commercial Roofing Projects

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:11:51 +0000

Our greatest challenge today is impressing upon the potential client why it pays to act now and not later on roofing repair issues. People often fail to consider the repercussions of delaying the necessary (and often urgent) attention required for the one aspect of their organization that protects every other asset within - the roof.

It really boils down to this: Pay for it appropriately now, or pay a lot more for it later.

Our efforts are designed to convince the clients that capital expenditures for their roofing system truly needs to be higher on their priority list. All too often, a roofing contractor is called upon too late, when the roofing system is failing and other areas of the business are being adversely affected:

Ceiling tiles need replacement.
Mold intrusion into the facility.
Carpeting needs to be replaced.
IT and Server rooms have been breached by water.
Furniture and file systems are affected.

The hesitancy becomes more evident when I share with you the growing businesses associated with installation of ceiling drains. Ceiling drains are devices designed to fit into a drop ceiling grid to channel water leaks through a hose to a collection bucket. It’s a stop-gap that prolongs the enduring damage that is evident in the roofing system. It doesn’t stop the water infiltration into the roofing system itself. The corrosion that is affecting the steel structure of the roofing system continues unabated. It addresses the symptom and not the problem.

Many of our current and past clients are those who have long since seen their useful roofing life expire and the expenses associated with the repair and replacement are climbing on an almost daily basis. The costs of delays are steep.

We don’t let the difficulty associated with explaining a client’s present situation prevent us from doing so. While people tend to assume that our detailing the urgency of their roofing situation is a “hard sell” designed to separate them from their money as fast as possible, the reality is that for us - nothing could be further from the truth. One of our clients suffered a $100,000 change order to replace expansive steel decking due to their allowing the roofing system to languish for more than 7-years beyond it’s useful life. We simply don’t want that to happen to you. We’ll tell you the reality of your situation so that you are in the best possible position to make a decision that’s best for your organization.

The aggravation of dealing with poor workmanship lasts much longer than the euphoria of obtaining the lowest price.

What’s In A Roofing Contract?

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:33:11 +0000

Every Philadelphia roofing contractor will have a different contract, but in general the contract will spell out the proposed roofing work, pricing and completion dates. Look for these other areas of your contract so you can avoid contract disputes:

Building Permits - Is your roofing contractor getting the permits or are you? Are they including in the price quote or are they additional? Who is responsible for posting the permits?

Starting and Completion Dates - Make sure the dates are specified and contingency plans are in place for weather or other unexpected delays.

Roofing Materials - Brands, colors, amount of roofing materials should be specified so there are no surprises

Inspections - Does the county or city need to inspect the work? When? What happens if an inspection fails?

Site Procedures - What are the working hours for the roofers? Who is responsible for cleaning up waste? What safety precautions needs to be put into place?

Warranties - What warranties are included for the roofing materials and the work?

Liens and Terms of Payment - Make sure the contract specifies when you will be making payment for the work being completed. Under most state laws, a contractor can put a lien on your home if they haven’t received payment. Specifying payment dates and making sure you receive a lien waver upon your final payment will protect your property and any misunderstandings.

Subcontractors - You should always be aware of who is working on your roofing project and require proof that subcontractors have been paid, or write terms that make you responsible for paying subcontractors directly.

Choosing A Roofer - Commercial or Residential Roofing Company

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:33:06 +0000

Repairing or replacing a roof is an expensive proposition, and it’s one that could cost you lost wages and income, especially if you own a commercial building that is desperately in need of a new roof due to water leaks or damage. Choosing a roofing company that is dependable, qualified, and honest is important.

Research The Roofers Licensing/Insurance - You want a roofing contractor that is legally able to work on your building for more than one reason. First you want to make sure they are qualified to do the job, after all, you wouldn’t hire a receptionist to pull your teeth, right? Secondly, if there is a problem with the roof construction, you need to be able to contact someone to settle the issues. If your roofer is just someone off the street, your legal options might be limited. Making sure your roofer has insurance protects you from any accidents that may occur. Without insurance you could be liable for any slips or falls.

Research Prior Clients - Like any business, testimonials are important. Find out if your roofer has completed projects on budget, on time, and in a satisfactory manner. Contact your local BBB to find out if there have been any complaints filed and how these complaints were answered. If your preferred roofer does have a complaint, make sure you get answers on how it was solved.

Get Another Quote - Contacting more than one roofing company is common, just make sure your roofer is aware of this. I highly suggest you research companies before requesting a quote and then only contact your top 2 or 3 so you aren’t wasting a lot of time. You’ll be much more confident hiring a roofer if you’ve done the research rather than just asking 10 roofing companies for a quote and comparing prices. There may be a reason one company is charging peanuts.