Looking for commercial roofing contractors in Rochester NY? Then start by reading our guide on hiring commercial roofers. Roofing is an important and expensive part of your commercial property. On the one hand, you need a commercial roofing system to protect your building from wind, rain, and snow. On the other hand, you want great value for money. A big part of that is choosing the right contractor. Here are some tips on doing just that.
How to Find Commercial Roofing Contractors in Rochester NY
In many ways, hiring commercial roofing contractors follows the same guidelines for hiring residential roofers. First, contact several commercial roofing contractors. Many Rochester roofers offer free estimates. Once a contractor comes to view the job, consider asking these important questions.
1. Do you carry insurance?
Firstly, is the contractor insured? Roofers should have workmans’ compensation and liability insurance. This protects you in the event of an accident. In contrast, if there is an accident and your contractor doesn’t have insurance, you may be responsible for medical bills and costs due to injury.
2. Do you use subcontractors?
Secondly, ask if they use subcontractors. Larger companies tend to use subcontractors. While not necessarily a cause for alarm, be careful. You need to vet both the company and the subcontractor in order to make sure neither has customer complaints. Likewise, ensure the subcontractor is fully-insured.
3. What is your warranty?
Warranties on commercial roofing systems vary between manufacturers. Indeed, some manufacturers, such as GAF, offer certification. In this way, certified roofers can install roofing systems to manufacturers’ guidelines. This can impact on your warranty. In other words, if installed incorrectly, your roofing system can be outside the manufacturer’s warranty. Similarly, contractors may offer varying warranties on aspects of their installation. At the end of the day, find out exactly what is covered, for how long, and by whom (that is, the manufacturer or the contractor).
Before you Sign
While these are the top 3 questions to ask, there are other things to keep in mind before you agree to a contract. For example, is your contractor experienced with the type of commercial roofing system you need. In addition, consider asking for references. Likewise, check reviews on sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, BBB, and Google. Hiring a commercial roofing contractor in Rochester NY is a big decision. So, it is worth doing a little research before making your choice.
Tax Considerations
For businesses, roofing costs can be a significant expense. Therefore, discuss the tax implications of a new roof with your accountant. In particular, do you expense or capitalize the costs?
In many cases, only a portion of the roofing system is replaced, and depending on the facts, those costs may be deducted as repairs. When compared to the alternative option of depreciating the cost over a 27.5-year life for residential rental real estate or a 39-year life for commercial real estate under the modified accelerated cost recovery system, an incorrect conclusion may lead to a significant overpayment of tax liability.
The Tax Adviser: Guide to Expensing Roofing Costs
In order to determine how to handle roofing costs, discuss the roofing work with your accountant. Some important information includes:
- roof type (steep or low pitch)
- covering material (asphalt shingles, metal, modified bitumen etc)
- reason for roofing work (eg is this a repair to sudden damage?)
- time between acquiring the commercial property and doing the roofing work
And much more besides. Again, make sure to discuss the work with your accountant to minimize your tax liability.
Maintenance
Finally, extend the life of your roof with routine maintenance. For instance, every year: remove debris; check for damage and make repairs; clear off moss; and clean the gutters. While this can be difficult work, it is worth hiring professional maintenance on an annual or bi-annual basis. Roofs in Rochester NY can have a particularly hard life. Between the autumn leaf fall, winter snow and spring wind and rain, preventative maintenance can make a big difference to the lifespan and overall cost of your roof.
Need a Commercial Roofing Contractor in Rochester NY?
Then contact us! We are a family-owned and operated firm located in Webster NY. From decades of experience to GAF Certification, our fully-insured team of pros gets your job done right. We never subcontract and our team of father and son master roofers takes care of your job, personally. We offer residential roofing in Rochester NY, commercial roofing in Rochester NY, roof repair in Webster NY and more! You can see the pride we take in our work in our gallery. And when you’re ready, just get in touch for a free estimate.