6 Things You Need to Tell Your Roofing Contractor
You have capital authorization, signed the quote, and are anxious to get going; this roofing project is long overdue so the sooner the crew arrives, the better. But are you really ready? How prepared is the contractor? How much information have you shared? Are you sure you’re both on the same page?
Communicate these six things before the project starts to reduce the likelihood of challenges later.
The decision-makers.
You know the contractor’s team (project manager and project supervisor/foreman), but do they know yours? Introduce individuals who are responsible for the roof (e.g. owner’s rep, plant engineer, facility manager, etc.) and define responsibilities. The contractor will need to know who has the authority for change directives and who gets the daily progress reports.
The best time to undertake the project.
The roofing crew wants to perform their work without disrupting your operations. If a planned facility shutdown is scheduled, weekend work is possible, or the crew can work untraditional hours, share those dates and times and determine how best they can access the building.
What’s going on inside.
Work on your roof impacts operations inside your building. Containment systems (i.e. interior protection) can help to contain dust and construction debris. Likewise, air intakes can be closed to minimize odors.
Site-specific safety requirements.
If your company has its own safety policies and requires a safety orientation or company-specific safety training, don’t forget to mention it. The roofing crew will follow OSHA mandates, but if your own requirements are stricter, you’ll need to familiarize them with your rules.
Sustainability initiatives.
Aggressive corporate sustainability goals won’t just change the materials used, but also how the roof system is designed (e.g. water reclamation, solar photovoltaics, vegetation, etc.). It will also impact how the project is performed. For example, to reduce landfill waste, your contactor can identify salvage, recycling, and reuse resources. The old roof materials, as well as packaging from the new roof system, can be sorted appropriately.
Space constraints.
The roofing contractor is going to need a place for their crew to park vehicles, space to stage materials, and an area for the crane. Make sure you communicate available locations and pass the word along. Employees at the facility may need to park elsewhere for the duration of the project, either because space is limited or because of overspray (if it’s a roof coating application).
The more you communicate upfront, the more apt the roofing contractor is to meet your expectations and deliver a project without disruption to the business, change orders, frustration, or disgruntled employees. It’s never too early (or too late) to share this information.
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