It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small scale manufacturer or the owner of a busy warehouse, having a quality roof over your head is a no brainer when it comes to running a business. Protecting your employees and assets from criminal activity and the infamously rubbish UK weather, a roof can be a costly issue if left unchecked, which is why a replacement may be the best answer.
Investing in a new industrial roof, like any large scale renovation, can be a daunting prospect. After factoring in cost, time and the huge array of roofing options to choose from, it can make even the most organized of business owners feel confused.
As quality roofing contractors, AJ Donald Slaters have helped countless companies ensure they get the perfect roof installation for their needs, which means we’ve learnt a fair amount over the years when it comes to making such an investment.
With this in mind, we decided to put together this handy guide to give you all the information you need to ensure your new roof installation is the perfect choice for your operation.
Begin with your budget
Setting out a proper, completely costed budget is key to any big investment, and a full roof replacement is no different. While it can be easy to simply choose the cheapest option, is this the right investment for you? On the other hand, spending too much could leave you out of pocket with an installation that you really didn’t need.
With this in mind, spend a good amount of time assessing your needs; what roofing material do you require? What are the environmental conditions of your local area? Are you wanting to invest in additional features or upgrades? All of these questions are essential when creating a budget. However, they can be hard to answer without the help of an industry professional, which leads us onto..
Choosing the right industrial roofing company
Arguably one of the most important factors in ensuring you get a quality roof installation, choosing the right contractor could be the difference between a quality finish and one fraught with difficulties. Yet, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff when finding the best roofing contractors in your area?
Do your research
Going for the first roofing contractor you see is just asking for trouble if you haven’t done the necessary research to ensure they can carry out the job effectively. One of the best places to start is to check that your chosen contractor is part of a recognised institution.
There are a few of these accredited trades bodies so it can be a good idea to talk with your prospective contractor and research afterwards. Having an affiliation to one of said organisations highlights a commitment to offering customers a gold-standard service and is a great way to begin painting a picture of your contractor.
Go local
When it comes to hiring a roofing company, local is always going to be best for the prime reason that they can more easily be on hand if you need them. Rather than having to transport equipment, materials and personnel miles in order to get to your site, a local contractor will be able to carry out the work much quicker and likely at a lower cost.
It also means that if you have any queries, you can easily liaise with your contractor, ensuring you’re up to date every step of the way.
Getting roofing quotes
Gathering quotes when looking for a contractor is one of the best ways to ensure you receive a quality service. By collecting at least three quotes from roofing companies in your area, you can better understand the local market, allowing you to weed out extortionate or suspiciously cheap quotes.
Look for reviews
These days, it’s easier than ever to find reviews on a contractor’s past work. Aside from asking around people you know, a quick Google search can bring up a litany of websites dedicated to reviewing companies. Noteworthy sites include Yell.com and Trusted Traders, so make sure to check these out during your search.
Ongoing maintenance
Whilst it would be great if our roofs required zero maintenance, inclement weather and a range of other factors can sometimes take their toll on your new investments. Working with a quality roofer will minimise this, however, it’s always a good idea to consider having a contractor who can offer repairs if things do go wrong.
Consider building regulations
Of course, depending on the kind of structural changes you make to your roof, you will likely have to comply with building regulations. If you’re only carrying out repairs or re-covering less than 25% of your flat or pitched roof, you won’t need to worry about submitting a building regulations application.
However, you will need to consider building regulations if you decide to make any of the following changes:
Structural alterations
Changes that may affect the current roofs performance in relation to fire safety.
Repairs or replacements to 25% or more of the roof area.
Disruptions to your day-to-day
A big job like roof replacement isn’t something that can be done overnight. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that your daily routine may be slightly disrupted. For starters, let everyone know that work will be carried out on the roof and that certain precautions may need to be taken.
Communicating this effectively to your workforce is important both for productivity and safety, so it is definitely an important factor when considering your roof replacement.
Energy efficiency considerations
A low quality roof can cost you more than just an installation fee, as you could end up forking out money on energy bills due to an inefficient design. Because of this, it can be a good idea to consider investing in energy-efficient materials that can both retain heat and effectively reflect light, creating a consistent atmosphere within your industrial building.
Aside from lowering your energy bills by not pushing the air conditioner to max, a roof could be especially useful for operations that require a regular temperature to carry out their work.
A J Donald Slaters: Aberdeen’s premier industrial roofing contractors
Out of all of the above-mentioned points you need to consider when looking for a roof replacement, hiring a quality commercial roofing contractor is arguably the most important. If you’re in Aberdeen and require the best roofing solutions for your home or business, get in touch with A J Donald Slaters today.
When it comes to roofing replacement, every job is different, which is why you need a team of experts that you can trust. With the skills to work on any roofing project, be it domestic, commercial or industrial, we’re ready to ensure your roofing stands the test of time.
We are also on call for a variety of industrial roof repair jobs, meaning you can rest assured that you’re fully covered by our expertise.
If you would like to learn more about our range of great services, visit our website or get in touch with a member of our team on 01224 644 680 to discuss your requirements further.