Cost is often the determining factor in choosing a roofing contractor. It remains one of the top considerations in the roof purchase process. In the traditional process a number of contractors are solicited to provide bid estimates for the completion of the work. In this scenario, the awarded contractor is selected based on lowest price. This format is often used in public bids — state, local, or federal government projects — where the rules stipulate the lowest bidder must be awarded the project unless there is cause to disqualify the bid.

The drawbacks to the process are inequality of bidders, inequality of materials and systems bid, and the reality that the low-bidder may have made a mistake in the bid process that could ultimately jeopardize the quality of work. If the contractor made a mistake in the bid, the firm may try to cut corners to avoid losing money on the job. In that scenario, the contractors’ mistake will end up costing the building owner and facility manager in the long run.

As a best practice, the only time that price should be the ultimate consideration is when you have equally qualified contractors bidding on the same materials, system, and application procedures. You should also qualify the low contractors’ price to ensure that they did not miss anything in the bid process.

There is a plethora of roof materials and systems available on the low-slope commercial market. There are also different application methods — recover or replacement — that will have an impact on the project cost. It is best to provide a scope of work (preferably design specifications) that includes materials, systems, and application methods to ensure the contractors are bidding equally.

If a scope of work cannot be provided, make certain that the commercial roof estimates include a detailed scope of work including materials, systems, and application procedures. The goal is to compare “apples to apples.” Request a proposed schedule with the bid estimate that includes estimated start time and estimated project duration. The schedule may become a top consideration if the low-bidder cannot start or complete the project based on your needs.

Any contractor working on your roof should have proper insurance, licensing and permitting documents available for your review. Without the appropriate documentation, you could face a major problem if an employees gets injured on your property. Verify your commercial roofing contractor carries city and state licensing, if applicable, and ask for copies. General Liability policies should also be presented, with the building owner’s name represented on the policy.

Tomlin Roofing carries warranty certifications from commercial roofing manufacturer's that offer warranty periods up to 30 years on materials and labor. Our experienced installers have been through certification courses to ensure the installation techniques used are the highest quality. When installing commercial grade roofing, we follow a series of specifications outlined by the manufacturer. Following these specifications allows the manufacturer to warranty or "insure" the installations for periods from 10 years to 30 years.

A commercial roofing project has many on-site variables. From pedestrian traffic, to parking and material staging, the task at hand is greater than just replacing a roof. When Tomlin Roofing installs commercial roofing, you can rest assured knowing you have a foreman on-site at all times. OSHA safety standards and regulations are an important part of our work process, and we adhere to these standards on every job.