When it comes to managing properties and businesses, I understand if the first thing that comes to mind is not roofing. After all, while it is an integral part of most structures, it is not exactly something overly interesting in terms of learning about. That is why I am here today – to try to make it more engaging since I do believe it is important to educate ourselves on how much they matter.
After a period of growth, Phoenix is experiencing a tremendous boom. Even beyond that, the population is expected to grow by at least 30% in the next 15 years. The local economy is experiencing an increase in demand for commercial roofing services as well, due to this increased traffic. You might be surprised by how popular this city is becoming as both a permanent residence and a vacation destination.
As far as finding a local roofing contractor goes, it can seem intimidating. After all, how can we locate someone who can help us meet these demands and ensure that our building has the greatest chance of lasting long-term? Never mind trying to find someone affordable when compared with other options.
Today, I will be discussing why these services matter and some potential places to look for them. If that sounds like something interesting, you can also look at some other websites like this one for more information: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roof. That being said, I also have plenty to offer!
Why Phoenix?
Now, you may be curious as to why I am centering this discussion around Phoenix, Arizona. Well, as someone who lives in the American Southwest, I find it is a place near and dear to my heart. I touched upon it briefly above, but you might be surprised by how large it has grown.
Phoenix is definitely a growing city. It’s the fifth largest city in the United States, which I had not realized until I started to look into it more. Often, details like this slip between the cracks, since our communities are so tight knight.
Of course, this growth means that other industries will start to boom as well. For example, commercial roofing, real estate, construction, and more are currently getting a lot more press in this region than in the past. That makes sense, as the more commercial buildings are opened, the more maintenance they end up needing!
As we continue to grow as a community in this city, it is important to find a commercial roofing contractor who can work with our needs and budget if you own a business or property that you are leasing for commercial purposes. There are examples such as SW Commercial Roofing Of Phoenix that can give you some ideas or inspiration in terms of what to look for.
Why Commercial Roofing Matters
Think about the establishments that you frequent regularly. In particular, imagine your favorite restaurant. Think of the delicious food and how clean, regulated, and safe everything is. Now, picture if there was a leak in the roof.
It might get less appealing if that were the case, right? Try to think about why that is the case. A big part of it is the myriad of potential health code violations that can come from having a leaking roof or ceiling. Did you know that there are grease catchers that can end up getting clogged if there are heavy rains?
In turn, those clogs can result in blockage and eventually might damage the roof even further than it already was. That is part of why it is so critical to catch these problems sooner rather than later. Now, if you are a restaurant owner you are already aware of these regulations (or at least I certainly hope you are), but I will provide you with a link to this resource detailing them here: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/restaurant-inspections-in-your-area/.
Of course, there are other types of commercial buildings as well. As the population rises in Phoenix, so does the number of people looking to open new businesses. That means that the need for commercial roofing is growing more than ever. This means that you will probably want to find someone who can do high-quality work at a reasonable price.
Why Sourcing Local Contractors is the Way to Go
I do not know about you, but I have heard my fair share of horror stories when it comes to hiring contractors. I have some poor experiences myself, usually with so-called professionals who are not familiar with my area at all and so make easily avoidable mistakes. That is part of why I prefer to go locally rather than with a national business for my home or commercial property repairs and renovations.
If you want to hear about some of these negative experiences, there are some all over the internet that is fairly accessible. As far as my own goes, I was trying to add another floor to my office building. In all fairness, it is a fairly large undertaking, so I was expecting some difficulties.
That being said, it was beyond frustrating. The first one that I tried to work with had never done a renovation in the Southwest before, despite initial claims to the contrary (I probably should have done more research, honestly). So, when I was asking about specific precautions he was taking as far as the heat goes and sun damage to roof materials, he did not have much of an answer for me.
In contrast, when you choose a local commercial roofing contractor, they are familiar with the area and climate. That is probably the biggest reason I could point out as far as why you should try to source locally, besides supporting members of your community. Obviously, that is another huge selling point.
If you take this route, usually they know what system would be best for your business building. Just be certain that you discuss with them what type of commercial complex you are opening. You see, there are key differences between office buildings, warehouses, restaurants, retail spaces, hotels, and industrial complexes. So, depending on the type you are going with, your needs could vary.
Of course, another perk is that they also understand how things work in Phoenix, so they can provide exceptional service regardless of size or location. This will help you save time and money when it comes to finding a commercial roofing contractor in Phoenix who has experience working with these types of systems. Otherwise, things could get complicated in terms of weather conditions and having the appropriate protections.
What to Look for in Your Contractor
When choosing a local commercial roofing contractor, it’s important that they offer a variety of services needed by your business building such as energy efficiency improvements or other upgrades like lighting fixtures or HVAC units (heating ventilation air conditioning). The goal is to find someone that can offer the best in their field so that you can feel confident in your commercial building’s lasting power and the experience you will provide to your customers!
As you are working with one, though, there are a few things that you should do yourself, too. So, as you consider speaking with your contractor, make sure that your catalog and document any current damages to your roof. Take many pictures for potential insurance claims, and as a form of documentation for what it looked like before they began working.
Any good contractor will be more than okay with that, as it is important to hold professionals accountable too in case something does go wrong. If they get defensive about it or are displeased with your cataloging, I will certainly consider that a red flag. It may be time to look elsewhere.
If it is your building, it is also generally good practice to inform any occupants that there is an issue with the roof. This is especially the case if you are leasing the building out to office owners or restaurant owners. If you run the business inside, chances are you are already aware of it, but it is still a good idea to give your employees a head up as well.
Otherwise, what are the qualities to look for in a contractor? Well, I would say that good customer service is certainly a must. It might sound like a no-brainer, but I think it is worth mentioning anyway. All too often I see that this is falling by the wayside with modern companies, so do not let yourself fall into that trap. Put this at the forefront of your concerns!
Besides that, obviously having experience is another thing that makes one appealing. After all, how else can we know that we will be receiving the services that we pay for in terms of them being done correctly? So, those are probably the two biggest things to watch for, besides good communication skills and timeliness.
How to Find One
This is where I think a lot of people get stuck. Sure, we hear about these guys all the time, but how can we locate them? Well, one of the best ways to find a commercial roofing contractor in Phoenix is by looking online.
Why do I say that? Well, for one thing, you can check out reviews by past customers. Depending on how much information is out there, you could read about their experience with the company and see if they would recommend them to other businesses like yours. In addition to that, you can ask other business owners or your friends and family to see who they have worked with in the past!
Prevention is Probably the Best Solution
It is an unfortunate fact of life that repairing a roof can get quite expensive. How can we stop that from needing to happen? It is not always possible, of course. Sometimes life happens, and it is not like we can magically prevent inclement weather from occurring. That being said, there are strategies that we can implement.
One of the most effective ways to maintain your building’s roof is through regular inspections and maintenance, so it tends to be a good idea to prioritize doing this. You see, regular inspections can help you catch problems early before they get worse. Once things get too bad, the repair costs definitely start to add up.
Additionally, having a regular maintenance routine can also help you get the most out of your roof by ensuring that it is not only in good condition but also ready for whatever else life throws at it. If you are feeling uncertain about the status of the roof on your commercial building, I would say it is probably a good idea to schedule a check-in as soon as you can.
Final Thoughts?
Hopefully, I have offered you some valuable insight about this topic today. I recognize that reading about roofing might not be the most exciting thing, but it is important to understand why it matters so much. Commercial buildings that have to maintain cleanliness and/or are designed to store precious cargo, it is essential to daily operations.
Without something to shield them from the elements, it is hard to imagine they could run efficiently. Imagine a huge warehouse with no roof on it! You would definitely question the sanity of the owner if that were the case. So, if you have any worries about potential damages, don’t delay in calling someone.
