How to Hire Commercial Roofing Contractors or Companies in Swansea Explained by BPS

Upon deciding to hire a commercial roofing company, your first thought will naturally be to call the nearest contractor and get a quote. Not all commercial roofers are the same and if you want to get the best service for your money, there are things you need to consider. There are bad roofers and there are the reputable ones. Of course, as a sensible business owner, you will want to make sure you deal only with a reputable roofing contractor.

BPS have teams of reliable, professional and experienced commercial roofing contractors in Swansea. All roofing works are carefully evaluated for correct product application, thermal performance & environmental impact. As a company, we ensure compliance with current industry/ building regulations for all roof installations.

For more information on our services as roofing contractors in Swansea, please telephone 029 2048 4114

If you are searching the internet for a “roofing contractor near me” or looking for a local roofing contractor in Swansea, then BPS is the company for you. We specialise in:

  • Flat Roof Construction and Repairs
  • Roof Tiles Replacement
  • Metal Roofing Installation and Repairs
  • EPDM / Rubber Roofing
  • Thermoplastic Roof System
  • Modified Bitumen / Asphalt Roofing Systems
  • Coated Roof Systems

Hiring a Swansea Roofing Contractor

Here are some of the things you must know prior to hiring a roofer that can help you identify the best roofing contractor:

  1. Know Exactly What You Want To Be Done

Before you make contact a with a roofing company it is but sensible to have an idea of what the problem is, and exactly what you want to be done. It’s not as simple as deciding the roof needs fixing and telephoning a business to repair it. When talking to a contractor, he will likely ask you a lot of questions concerning the project. If you have not prepared or have no idea what you want to be done, you can be swayed easily into believing that there are more problems than there actually are.

You must know the extent of the damage so you can tell your contractor exactly what needs to be repaired or replaced. Are there holes? Are there shingles or tiles falling off or missing? Does the flashing need to be re-aligned? What about the drainage, is it working fine?

Knowing exactly what must be fixed will also save you money. When discussing the project with your contractor, you can tell them everything that must be covered; they will make the assessment, then give you a quote.

At BPS, we value a long-term relationship with our clients. Even the smallest roofing repair may, one-day, lead to a significant project. We, therefore, offer honest advice and quotes on the work that needs to be carried out.

  1. Know the Signs of a Bad Roofing Contractor

The following are signs that a roofing contractor is far from trustworthy:

– When asked about cost, they do not discuss it in an open, clear or comprehensive manner. If you deal with such a contractor, expect additional costs to materialise during the project.

– The contractor’s rates are cheap, in fact way too cheap compared to other quotes. Whilst it is tempting to go for the lowest price available, you must be wary because most roofers who have really low rates will often end up charging for more than you were expecting to pay.

– They do not send a qualified surveyor or estimator. A reliable roofing company will always send someone over to consult with you, make assessments, do actual measurements and discuss roofing materials with you.

At BPS, we will send a qualified roofing expert to assess your requirements. We will provide a full written quote on the work to be carried out, so there are no surprises throughout the project.

  1. Know Your Options

One thing you must understand before hiring a roofer: there is a lot to choose from.

You have a lot of options so do not choose for the first contractor you find or hire the one that offers the cheapest rate. By speaking with several other contractors, you can determine which one is most suitable for your needs and who you can easily work with.

For many business owners, the first consideration is always the price. This is understandable because we all need to reduce costs. However, the cost should not be the deciding factor. You must weigh other factors too prior to making a choice. Keep in mind that you can’t always expect a good job from someone offering a cheap rate and the most expensive quote doesn’t always mean the best service.

Speak with at least three different contractors and make comparisons. By doing this, you avoid paying for the highest rates in the industry as well as get to know more reasonable rates. Aside from being able to compare prices, interviewing several roofing contractors will also let you know their relevant experience.

The best way for you to know your options is by doing your research. Is the roofing contractor a professional business? Do you get the impression they are specialists in commercial services?

BP Facilities offer a range of services to commercial businesses. We are experts in all types of commercial maintenance and repairs. We have a professional and dedicated team of commercial roofers.

  1. Know the Terms of Their Insurance Policy

One of the biggest mistakes business owners commit when hiring roofing contractors is not asking about the company’s insurance policy and warranties.

Whilst there are a few roofing companies that automatically include insurance in their package, there are many that don’t, so you need to ask to make sure.

The insurance should cover both client and worker so that in case an accident happens while the repair or installation is going on, you won’t be held liable. The roofer’s insurance can help cover you against anything unexpected. Ask for the proof of insurance and make sure that the policy is in effect for the duration of the project.

Warranty is also very important. You should know if the warranty covers only the roofing material or only the labour or both. Roofing material manufacturers offer warranty for their products and their conditions and limitations might be different from the contractors. Some of the things you must know pertaining to warranty are the financial limits, whether or not it is prorated over the life of the roof, the life of the warranty, provisions that might void the warranty, etc. Only certified roofers would offer you additional warranty from the manufacturer.

The contractor must provide at least 2-years workmanship warranty and clearly discuss the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty. Don’t forget to get a copy of the proposed warranty.

  1. Know What Should Be Included In the Written Agreement

Securing a copy of a written agreement is necessary because this will ensure that there are no surprises or “extras” during the project. It will provide you with a clear view of what is to be done.

The agreement, signed by you and the contractor, should clearly state the following:

– What materials are to be used

– Expected completion date

– Pricing details

– Payment schedules

  1. Go with Experienced Roofing Companies

During any project, installation or repair there can be unexpected issues. Some may cause the project to be delayed and others are merely a matter of changing the approach to the job. This is where an experienced roofing company can save you on costs. Having worked on 100’s if not 1000’s of roofs an experienced roofing company will have seen it all before and know how to manage the issue effectively.

Commercial Roofing Contractors in SwanseaAsk the roofing contractor if they have experience in installing the exact type of roof that you want to be installed. Be specific in addressing this question. For instance, if you are interested in installing EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer) roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed an EPDM roof and not just a flat rubber roof. Roofing systems can be very different in their preparation and installation requirements. The same applies to heavy-duty tiled roofs, flat roofs, slate roofs, shingle roofs, or any other type of roof. You want to hire a roofer with hands-on experience in installing the specific type of roofing system that you want to be installed on your business premises.

Be specific when hiring a roofing company and ask questions like:

  • Are they up to date on current building regulations?
  • Are they certified by the roofing manufacturer for your specific roof?
  • Have they inspected your current ventilation system?
  • Did they discuss ventilation options or improvements?
  • Have they inspected your roof decking?
  • Did they advise you of potential rotten wood or other issues that may not be visible?
  • Do you have space decking that will need to be re-decked?
  • Do they replace all pipe jacks and roof accessories?
  • Will they be removing the existing shingles and starting with a clean roof deck?

Their experience will allow them to offer advice on materials that can be re-used, those that will need to be replaced and any other systems that may be tied in with having the roofing system replaced.

BPS is a commercial maintenance, repair and installation company. As well as roofing specialists, within our company, we have experts in air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing and electrics. If any of these systems are affected by the roofing project we can call on industry experts within minutes.

Always take time and do your research when searching for local roofing contractors to replace or repair your roof. A little time invested will pay off greatly in ensuring that you actually receive a quality roofing product installed at a fair price.

For more information on our services as local roofing contractors in Swansea, please telephone 029 2048 4114