Roofing Contractor Los Angeles
Selecting your Roof System
The right roof system is highly dependent on your needs as an owner. And, the needs for building owners and managers is generally very different from those of the average homeowner.
Building Owners and Managers
If you currently own or manage a building or several buildings, you know that roofing is a major part of the liability you bear. Unhappy tenants with roof leaks can withhold rent payments, file Legal action against you, complain incessantly, and generally make your life miserable. To avoid this altogether, it is wise to keep the roof on your buildings in good shape.
If you currently are having leaks in your roof or know that your roof has reached its useful life, you have three (3) basic options:
Maintenance/Repair – Ferguson & Melvin Co. offers both preventive maintenance and repairs for commercial owners. This option is for roofs that are basically in good shape but need an “oil change”. It is the least expensive option and the quickest and easiest option. However, if the roof is older and reaching the end of its useful life, other options are more appropriate.
Restoration – Research shows that up to 43% of leaky low-slope roofs can be restored using restoration technology and products. This option generally consists of cleaning of the existing roof, some maintenance and repairs, and a Seam-Free coating system - this option is like “overhauling the engine”. It is usually about half the cost of a new roof and can be phased over several years, if cash flow is a concern. Also, restoration is considered maintenance and therefore can be capitalized or expensed, potentially saving you thousands in taxes. The right system can add up to 15 years to the life of the existing roof system, and it is significantly less disruptive to tenants than replacing the roof. Keep in mind, however, the existing roof must be in moderate condition to consider this option.
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Roof Replacement
Replacement – For roofs that are in poor condition, this is the best long-term option. Most manufacturer’s offer no-dollar-limit (NDL) warranties up to 20 years on qualified systems. Installing a new roof is not something most owners do that often – so, for the average owner, the process can be very challenging. And, if done incorrectly, it can be very costly, as well. Therefore, it is critical that you take every step to ensure that you, first, select the best roofing system that fits your needs and objectives and, second, that you find the right roofing contractor to do the job.
When selecting the roofing system that is best for your building, you need to consider things such as…
- What is the existing roof?
- Do you need to tear it off?
- Do you need insulation?
- How long of a warranty do you want?
- How long will you own the building?
- What’s more important, durability or cost?
Roof Type Selection
To help guide you through this decision process, we recommend that you visit www.gaf.com and utilize their roof adviser program. Once on the home page, choose commercial property or manager; then click learn about roofing; then click on the Roof Adviser Program; then click use now on-line. The program will guide you through the rest of the process.
When you are finished, you should print out the best roofing options produced by the program. Then, visit the Commercial Roofing section of this site to compare and contrast the different types of systems. You can then give the option(s) you choose to your roofing contractors for bidding purposes. Contact your Ferguson & Melvin sales representative for further information on these and other system options.
