7 Ways to Make Commercial Roof Replacement Less Distracting For Tenants
Roof replacement can be particularly disturbing if your tenants are running a business. However, the experience can be made smoother and less troublesome for the people on-site. This depends on how well the roofing company handles the process. Here are some considerations that the roofers must work on when handling replacement work:
Brief Regarding the Process
While the tenants do not need to understand the details of how and what you are to do during the commercial roof replacement process, they want to know how it will affect them. Their main concern will be to keep their work going and not have any hindrances that may affect their performance. There are a set of common questions that they might want answers to, so prepare them beforehand:
When will the project begin and end?
How much time will the project take?
What will be the timings for the workers to start and end?
How will the workers access the rooftop?
What equipment will be used on-premises, and how much space will they take?
What sounds and smells are normal to expect?
What parts of the building will be under a no-go-zone, and for how long?
What areas of the building will be particularly dirty and should be avoided?
Will the tenants have to turn off the HVAC system? If yes, what will be the time and day duration?
Will the parking area be affected?
As contractors, it is not your job to alert the tenants, although you must speak to the landlord or property manager. It would be best if you asked them to set up signage across the building. For offices, churches, schools, and other buildings, the owner or property manager must inform the tenants via email to give full detail about the expectations.
Address any queries put forth by the manager of the building or tenants when approached.
Alternate Building Access
Since you want to have a smooth roof replacement process for the occupants of the building, avoid using the main stairs or elevators. Normally buildings have service elevators which can allow workers on site to make use of. If that option is not available, hydraulic lifts can be used to transport material to the roof.
Inquire with the business owner about the peak hours so that you can schedule the replacement accordingly. Some of the common timings for businesses you make yourself mindful of:
Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Gyms, Grocery Marts – Although these institutions work non-stop, work during rush hours can be avoided. Hospital rooftops use low VOC roofing that doesn’t require hot asphalt or torches. Regardless, consult the manager or owner to get details.
Retail Markets – Avoid peak seasons and holiday months.
Schools – Summer holidays, after hours, or weekends are the best pick.
Restaurants – Take breaks during lunch hours or work overnight to finish before their lunch hours.
Religious Buildings – No work must take place during religious holidays or service hours.
Traffic and Parking Considerations
Secondly, ensure the tenants have access to the parking lot. To avoid any disturbances, get the equipment delivered all at once before beginning the process and get it un-loaded directly to the roof if possible. This means less commotion for the tenants to deal with and taking up less space in the parking lot.
Make markings for the areas you might need in the parking lot for dumpsters, machinery, or boom trucks. Ensure the area you choose isn’t around emergency exits, entrance, or exit of the parking area. Run it through the manager or owner.
Site workers can park their cars in another vacant parking lot or carpool to avoid crowding the parking space in case it is fully occupied.
Noise Reduction Tactics
Noise can be particularly irritating to tenants, be it an office or a place of entertainment. There are ways to reduce noise on site:
Do not play loud music on-site during work
Roofers should make use of walkie-talkies or phones to communicate if walking to each other is not possible. Yelling is a big no and leaves a bad impression.
Try to reduce the use of noisy equipment as much as possible. Find alternatives.
Pollution Reduction Tactics
As roofers, you aim to reduce pollution as much as possible. Dealing with machinery and material can sometimes produce pungent smells and fumes. Alert the owner or manager of the property if there are any precautions that you want the tenants to adhere to, for instance, wearing a mask when leaving the premises to avoid inhaling dust. To reduce the smell as roofers, you can:
Move the roofing kettles downwind
Keep the temperature of the roofing kettle low to avoid extra fume production
Keep the lid on the kettle
Avoid letting fumes travel within the premises by closing air intakes and windows
Shut off the HVAC system
Safety Considerations
Some of the safety concerns that you must alert the manager or owner about for a smooth roof replacement process are:
Tenants must be aware that there may be debris falling during the tear-down process of the roof. They must be careful and avoid exposed areas during that period.
Inform and update the manager or owner about the signages you want around the property to make the tenants aware of the ongoing procedures.
If the building has a health and safety officer, consult with them and address any concerns you have with the ongoing process.
Leave With a Clean Space
Always be careful about the timeline and work strictly according to that. Stick to your word as this can put a great impression on the management you are dealing with and help with your future projects.
Moreover, do not leave the premises without ensuring that you repair any damage caused to the building due to your workers’ negligence. Leave with a clean space as there is nothing more putting off than a leftover pile or debris, tapes markings all over, or trash.
Need a Team You Can Trust?
If your roof is begging to be replaced, but you have a demanding business to run, hire Central Roofing to get the job done right without much trouble. Your business does not have to be set on hold; call us today for a quick quote and on-site visit.
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