The way a manager handles a roofing project and the subsequent decisions made as a result will impact the integrity of the building for years to come. Successful roof replacements involve a host of considerations that go beyond selecting the system, the related products and the installation contractors. Managers also need to consider these questions carefully:
• Is there a hard deadline for project completion or a particular time of the year to start and complete the project?
• Is the health and safety of occupants a concern?
• Is any equipment and machinery housed in or on the building sensitive to smoke, minor leaks during construction or dust?
• Will occupants be able to conduct business as usual during the project?
Having a roof replaced during a lull or downturn in the roofing business is not a bad decision. Pricing will be more competitive, and materials will be more readily available.
If a manager has no choice in the timing or work must be done after normal business hours, expect pricing to spike, but be sure to press the consultant on all options. Furthermore, if the jobsite is a secure or institutional facility, pricing will be higher due to regulations for employees or contractors working on the project.
A roof replacement is a major investment, and managers need to treat it with the care and attention to detail it deserves. Bad decisions are those made under duress or when water is pouring into the building and causing damage. Savvy managers will get the process started a year in advance so they have ample time to gather the necessary information to make the right decisions.
In the end, the replacement of a roofing system has less to do with the product and more to do with the peace of mind, or lack thereof, it delivers.
Derek Segal is a building envelope consultant with GCI Consultants LLC, www.gciconsultants.com. He performs skilled building envelope and roof condition assessments for property owners, insurance professionals, manufacturers, attorneys and other interested parties. On social media: facebook.com/gcibuildingconsultants; youtube.com/channel/UCAbJ9V54HlezvRPFD39Zopg; linkedin.com/company/gci-consultants-llc
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