As a property manager or owner, the day you dread is likely to come: your building’s roof may develop problems. It could be leaking or collecting pools of rainwater. These issues can arise unexpectedly and without a budget. So, who do you call when you need a roofer for your commercial building?

When it comes to commercial roofing, you have two choices: insured or uninsured roofers. Let us show you why there is only one viable option.

Finding a Roofer

Finding the best commercial roofer can be challenging, especially when you are under time pressure to solve an urgent problem. It’s understandable that your primary concern might be the price. Uninsured roofers often charge less and can start the project faster, making them an appealing option. However, hiring uninsured roofers can pose serious risks.

Hire Uninsured Roofers at Your Own Risk

Insurance protects your business and yourself from potential mishaps. If a roofer does not have professional insurance, you and your business will be held responsible for anything that goes wrong on the property.

Injury

Imagine your company in a difficult situation: you chose a cheap, uninsured roofer. During the project, a roofer and his equipment are involved in an accident. If the roofer is insured, the insurance will cover the costs. Without insurance, both employees may sue for medical expenses. This can result in significant additional costs that your company may not be able to afford.

Damage to Property

You will also be responsible for any damages that occur to your property during the roofing project. If your roofer damages HVAC, electrical, or pipe vents, you will be liable for the repairs. If the contractor damages fire sprinkler piping, you would be responsible for those costs as well.

No Insurance Means No License

Many insurance policies, such as landlord liability insurances, contain clauses that exempt you from any damage caused by a contractor hired without a valid license. To obtain a license in Florida, contractors must have both workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Without these, you would be responsible for all costs.

Given all these risks, professional insurance is a must. You should ask yourself: what else is this contractor doing wrong if they are not insured?

Due Diligence

Price, timing, and references are important, but they don’t matter if a roofer isn’t insured. Start by researching your options and narrowing down your list. Which companies have the most experience, and how satisfied are their clients with their work? Do they have any online reviews? Reading both positive and negative reviews can give you an accurate idea of the service. After narrowing down your search, check the BBB for further research.

You should now have a shortlist of roofers you are interested in working with. Be sure to ask for proof of insurance and verify it upfront. Each contractor should be willing and able to provide you with all the information you require. If they refuse, reconsider hiring them.

Protect Your Investment

Hiring an uninsured roofing contractor is not worth the risk to your livelihood. Keep these tips in mind when it comes time to hire an insured Tampa roofer. These tips can help you choose a commercial roofer who is insured and will deliver quality work.

Old Time Roofing is a company with a long-standing history in the roofing industry. We understand how important it is to protect our customers and employees. Don’t hesitate to contact us for your roofing needs. If you have a roofing emergency, call us at 727-390-0717. We are here to help!

This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing, one of the best roofing companies in Saint Petersburg, FL! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978.  Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties. Click here for more information!