There is no question that having a building staff do the roof check is advantageous. Do you still need a contractor or a metal roofing subcontractor?

First, they are already in the structure, and there is no out-of-pocket fee. Second, building engineers should already have maintenance routines set up for HVAC and other systems, and adding a roof program is straightforward.

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However, there are drawbacks. For one thing, people may not be clear about what they should search for. They have other duties and may not have the time or interest to go on the roof. On top of that, expertise may shift with employee changes. Watching for apparent problems like punctures, holes, and rips in the flashings, sliding and opening up at the top of the flashings, corroded metal components, or debris accumulating on the roof requires little experience.

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Another alternative is to employ an architect or engineer specializing in roof consultancy. These services may be costly and difficult to come by, and they must be reserved in advance and under contract. But with those negatives come some perks. The first is that they don't have anything to gain or lose if the roof survey's negative results: Whether the roof is in bad shape or excellent shape, their costs remain the same. In addition to the apparent problems, a knowledgeable roof expert is aware of the uncommon situations that impact roofs and lead to failures. The consultant will also understand why issues are happening, will know the most suitable remedies, and can develop specifications for fixes that would cure difficulties detected during the inspection. Armed with a precise scope of work, the facilities manager may seek bids on an apples-to-apples basis. The third benefit, particularly with architects, is that they know the complete structure and can uncover issues that are not roof-related.

Contractors and metal roofing subcontractors vary greatly in skill, depending on the degree of individuals sent out to undertake the inspection. Some of them are outstanding and do their duties with professionalism and expertise. Others send out their repair technicians who may know how to do general repairs but may not see the system that is on your roof. Those familiar with asphalt-based roofs but unfamiliar with single-ply membranes may be unable to conduct an adequate examination.

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Consider that contractors and metal roofing subcontractors earn their money by conducting repairs and replacing roofs. So even the most skilled contractors have a built-in prejudice, whether they realize it or not. Some companies provide periodic checks as a part of a whole maintenance package — inspections and repairs. For a certain price, a specific number of years, the plan is in place. Unfortunately, this setup provides a financial disincentive for a contractor and metal roofing subcontractors to conduct the marginal work that is required as expenses are raised and profit lowers.

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Avoid contractors and metal roofing subcontractors who do " no-cost " inspections at all costs. In many cases, this implies that the contractor and metal roofing subcontractors must make repairs to cover the inspection fees. There is no assurance that the work will match the needed maintenance if you have one contractor and metal roofing subcontractors do the inspection and then "bid out" the repairs. Why? You must indicate which seven-pitch pans need to be refilled if you need to fill seven. The contractor and metal roofing subcontractors undertaking the inspection also understand that it has an edge in this bid circumstance since it is drafting the scope of work.