5 Tips to Help You Plan for Your Next Roofing Project
Not sure what to expect during your next reroofing project? We’ve got five tips and loads of info to get you ready.
1. Assemble Your Team and Make Introductions
The project team always consists of an owner’s representative (usually a plant/facility/maintenance manager), but others from the company may also be included, such as the environmental health and safety director or corporate risk manager. A roof consultant, architect, structural engineer, or other subcontractors and specialty contractors may also be involved. The type and complexity of your roofing project (e.g., new construction, recovery of an old roof, or tear-off and reroof), the building code, and how you choose to solicit for the work will influence who’s on the team.
Stakeholders must be aligned, and roles clearly defined. Make introductions and communicate responsibilities at the beginning of project development. The roofing contractor will need to know who has the authority for change directives and who to go to with questions.
2. Communicate About Communication
The roofing contractor needs to know who to provide updates to on the project. Similarly, don’t make them guess how much (or how little) communication is desired. Is email the best way to share progress or would an end-of-the-day (or week) face-to-face conversation be preferred? Is a photo report to document the work necessary? Agree on a communication plan with the roofing contractor and make sure you’ve both got a roster of key players and their roles and contact information.
3. Gather Info to Discuss Project Execution
How the project is executed is just as important as the materials being used. If building occupants complain and their safety is compromised, no matter how good the workmanship is, the project will not be viewed favorably. Make sure you’ve considered the following:
- Work hours. Can the crew execute the project early in the morning before the temperatures spike? Is evening work acceptable? Is there a noise ordinance that limits when crews can work in the area?
- Site access. Alert security and issue security ID badges if necessary.
- Have you determined where the crew will park their vehicles and store materials, a dumpster, and portable restrooms?
- Impact on occupants. Will the facility be operational during the project? Interior protection might be necessary, as may relocating people if a crane is used. Air intakes may need to be closed and parked cars relocated if overspray from a roof coating is a concern.
- Sustainability goals. To reduce landfill waste, your contractor can identify salvage, recycling, and reuse resources. The old roof materials, as well as packaging from the new roof system, can be sorted appropriately.
4. Do Your Part to Plan a Safe Roofing Project
A safe and professional roofing contractor has trained their crew to follow OSHA requirements for accessing and working safely on the roof. If your company has its own safety policies and requires a safety orientation or company-specific safety training, tell the roofing contractor as early as possible. The crew can complete your company-specific safety training online before the project starts to get the project moving quicker.
5. Timing is everything. Schedule accordingly.
If you have a facility shutdown planned, communicate those dates to your roofing contractor; if possible, they can arrange to do some portions (if not all) of the project during that window of opportunity. Other factors that affect timing include weather (e.g., an adhered system may not bond if the temperatures are too low) or available labor. If you’ve used the contractor before and requested to have the same project supervisor, you may have to wait for their crew’s availability.
These five tips ensure that the roofing contractor can meet your expectations and execute a successful project with minimal disruptions. Plan ahead. You’ll be glad you did.
Contact us today to schedule your next roofing project at 319.731.4118 or [email protected].
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