We bring service providers to building owners, and the projects to service providers
Building Owners outsource roofing procurement to 4roofs.us.
4Roofs.us was created to simplify the process of purchasing commercial roofing and waterproofing systems. Roof systems are expensive and mistakes are very costly. We believe in maximizing your investments, first by protecting what you have before buying a new roof that may not be necessary.
Our bidding portal assures the best price based on a clearly specified approach chosen by the owner.
“Making Roofs = Life of the Buildings”
Note: There are more that 56 different components that can be included within a roof assembly. That leads to over 3,000 different combinations not including various methods of application.
Repairs & Maintenance Programs: The least expensive approach to roofs. If roofs are properly maintained they can last for the life of the building.
When starting, guide specification should be on hand for the type of roof system installed. If corrective measures are required, then make them as effective as possible.
Maintenance programs should include:
-What it is going to take to bring the roof to a Class A maintainable condition!
-Repair criteria for the type of roof, flashings, perimeters and drainage.
-Number of inspections, service calls per year.
-Keep the roof leak-free for the cost of the maintenance program with the exception of storm damage or abuse.
Restoration: The next level of cost. Restorations generally consist of resurfacing the existing membrane, with a liquid applied system. Typically, restorations are less than 50% of the cost of replacement.
If the roof qualifies, what is available?
-Warranties that rival new roof systems. Typically, 5 to 20 years.
-Restorations are available for most commercial roofing systems.
Retrofit:
-If the roof is no longer restorable, retrofit or installing a roof over an existing roof, becomes an option.
-The installation avoids the cost of removing and disposing of the existing roof system.
-It is against industry practices, most codes and requirements for manufacturer warranties to roof over roofs that contain moisture or to install a 3rd roof on a building.
-When retrofitting a roof, it needs to meet the current building code including R-value and positive drainage.
-Upgrading the insulation thickness may effect drainage systems, require tapered insulation, effect flashing heights at penetrations and perimeters. Thus requiring major modification such as raising equipment, raising flashings, raising walls and installing additional drains.
Replacement:
-If the existing roof has too many deficiencies for repair, restoration or retrofit, then the additional cost of removal and disposal of the roof may be required.
-Removing the roof adds the cost of labor and disposal via landfill.
-Replacement has most of the same limitations of retrofit when it comes to meeting code, insurance and manufacturer requirements.
-EXPOSING the interior of the building by removing the roof is a significant liability.
-Waiting for roofs to fail leads to the greatest costs and highest liability for the owner.
To optimize the approach to roofing and waterproofing, one must understand the problems so the owner can protect themselves.
Problem 1: Even the largest contractors rely on subcontractors to perform work. Therefore the quality of the project is often only as good as the subcontractor(s) performing the work.
Problem 2: Specifications may not exist. Contractors typically provide a proposal with limitations that only protect the contractor. The scope of work it usually vague to give the contractor maximum flexibility.
Problem 3: Specifications by design professionals are heavy on contract and liability issues and vague on the actual installation process. All liability is placed on the contractor and material suppliers. While most design professionals are ethical and have the best of intensions, we still have most construction litigation revolving around the building envelope and HVAC systems.
Problem 4: Building owners have their businesses to run and are normally experts in their own specialty, not roofing and waterproofing. The average life expectancy of a low slope roof system is 17 years, unless you have multiple buildings over 17 years old, roofing is not an overly familiar subject.
Problem 5: Commercial roofing is a complicated subject, has numerous variables and is always expensive.
Solution: Outsource roofing procurement to 4Roofs.us:
-Navigate through the 3 step process
-We help provide optional approaches
-Budget
-Design specifications
-Referrals to Inspectors, consultants, contractors, material suppliers, and project managers if and when needed.
-Save money
-Transparent bidding platform