When it comes to commercial reroofing projects, even a small delay in meeting a deadline can throw off the whole project schedule. Potential delays due to inclement weather, back-ordered materials, or even red tape can make a simple roof replacement into a nightmare for your company. Here are some ways you can prevent common delays by planning ahead.
Stay on Top of Commercial Reroofing Permits
Commercial reroofing projects have strict guidelines on project approval. Any roof replacement of commercial buildings will likely require building inspections and the approval of construction permits, which can ultimately push back your completion date. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize the impact of possible delays from red tape:
- Consult with experienced professionals
- Make sure all of your documentation is in order
- Allow for plenty of time for inspections and permit reviews
While you don’t have a lot of control over permit requirements and inspector schedules, it’s important to plan ahead. By consulting with experienced professionals, you’ll have a better idea of how long the permit process might take, and experts in your area will be more familiar with specific local policies. If you meet all of the requirements and have all of your paperwork in order, you can run into less issues maneuvering complicated permit processes, and you’ll likely be able to avoid unnecessary delays.
Complete a Thorough Inspection Beforehand
Another important aspect of your roof replacement project to take care of on the front end is completing a thorough inspection of the project area before beginning. The biggest delays in any construction project will come from the unexpected. Naturally, if you want to avoid these delays as much as possible, it’s important to plan ahead for possible issues so you’re not surprised during the project. Inspecting the building and existing roof for structural issues can help you be more prepared while embarking on your commercial reroofing project, and completing this inspection before agreeing to a specific timeline with your client can help set more realistic expectations about completion and cost.
Plan Ahead for Inclement Weather
Any roof replacement or outside construction work runs the risk of exposure to the elements. While there isn’t a way to control the weather around your project, planning ahead for inclement weather can be the next best thing. Avoiding delays in your commercial reroofing project due to poor weather conditions can be as simple as following these suggestions:
- Evaluate seasonal weather patterns for the approximate timeline of your project
- Include extra time in your project planning to allow for rainy day recovery
- Have a back-up plan for unusually bad weather conditions that may occur
Just like planning for potential permit issues, you won’t always have control over the conditions of your jobsite. Taking potential weather issues into consideration during your planning process is the key to keeping weather-related delays to a minimum.
Communicate Consistently with Vendors and Subcontractors
With the sheer amount of materials and labor required for commercial reroofing, clear and consistent communication with vendors and subcontractors is essential for you to meet your project deadlines. Keeping in communication with vendors can help you stay on top of potential shortages in materials and find other ways to source materials for your job. Miscommunication with material availability or labor requirements can set you back quite a bit, so planning ahead for clear communication is essential to make sure your project goes off without a hitch.
Maintaining a clear pipeline of communication with subcontractors can minimize miscommunications and keep your pace going. If there are any specific requirements for subcontracted labor, such as background checks or clearance, that would impact your subcontractors’ building access or jeopardize your permits or client agreements, make sure to give documented instructions before the project even starts. This helps ensure that your subcontractors are able to meet those expectations.
Plan Ahead for Safety Precautions
Another major source of delays for commercial reroofing projects is the risk of safety hazards. By consulting with an OSHA-certified risk evaluation company, you can be aware of potential safety issues to plan ahead for, and you can secure the safety of all onsite workers and potential bystanders as well. Proper signage and communication about risks can help to minimize danger to everyone involved in your project. While not all accidents can be prevented, educating subcontractors and other workers on job-specific safety protocols can cut down on the cost of lost time and money from onsite accidents.
Conclusion
Preventing delays in your commercial reroofing project may not be easy. It takes a lot of planning ahead to be prepared for potential issues, but doing all you can on the front end to make sure potential delays are minimized can make for smoother sailing on your commercial roof replacement project. Consistent communication and evaluating potential risks before and during your project can help you get through even the most complicated reroofing job.