Managers of apartment complexes and multi-family dwellings in Lexington, Kentucky have a unique challenge when it comes to roof replacements. It’s imperative to find a roofing contractor with the right crew to complete the job quickly and accurately.  One of the first questions property managers ask is “how long is this going to take?”

Just like other renovations and upgrades you make, the roof on your multi-family property is an important investment. A properly installed roof ensures improves the durability and prevents costly water related damage from plaguing your property. 

In this article, you’ll find more information on how long your multi-family asphalt roof replacement will take and how to find a trustworthy roofing contractor in Lexington.

You’ll also find the answer to questions like:

  • Are these structures residences or commercial buildings? 
  • Who should you contact for help with multi-family roof replacement, gutters, and roof repairs? 
  • How do you pick the right commercial roofer? 
  • How many days will your building or facility be impacted by the project?

How Long Should a Commercial Roofing Project Take?

We can really just speak from our experience on how long it takes to perform a roof replacement on a multi-family property. Note, these estimates are for commercial asphalt shingle roofing. Obviously, depending on the roof size, roof complexity, number of buildings and a few other factors, replacement times can vary. 

Most projects, from tear-off to new roof, can be done in one day. Excluded in this one day timeframe is wrapping the soffit and fascia (the horizontal decorative roof edge, behind gutters) and installing gleaming new gutters. Generally, this would add one additional day to the timeline.  Of course, others (like a 15-building apartment complex) are a bit more involved and would take longer. If multiple days are needed, we’ll coordinate the project to do multiple buildings in a day so your business feels as little impact as possible.

At AIC Roofing and Construction, we pride ourselves on giving accurate completion timeframes. AIC stands for Affordability, Integrity and Consistency. We live by these values as a team daily and with every roof we replace. 

Questions to Ask Commercial Roofers Before Hiring

Prior to hiring a Lexington commercial roofer, we recommended getting at least 3 bids to ensure you’re getting a fair price and assessment. Ask a potential roofer for your multi-family dwelling some basic questions about their experience: 

  • What type of multi-family experience do you have?

Asphalt commercial roofing is unlike other types of commercial roofing. It’s important to hire an expert in asphalt shingle roofing. Don’t assume your commercial roofing contractor has experience in this space. Depending on their specialty, the roofing contractor may perform very few asphalt roof replacements. Most commercial roof replacements consist of flat roof solutions including EPDM, TPO, PVC or metal. 

  • What type of insurance do you have?

In the state of Kentucky, General Contractors and Roofers are licensed on a city/municipality level, rather than a state level. So, when you hire a roofing contractor in Lexington or another part of Kentucky, their license will be from the city or municipality they are operating in. The minimum amount of insurance covered contractors are required to carry will vary by city.

We recommend making sure that your roofing contractor carries General Liability, Worker’s Compensation and Vehicle Insurance. 

When it comes to protecting your multi-family property, don’t take any chances with an uninsured contractor. Because of the unique dangers associated with the roofing process it’s important to make sure your business is protected in any mishap.

  • Will there be any onsite customer service or job supervision during the project?

When roofers ascend atop your multi-family property, they have one job in mind – replacing your roof. Communication is difficult should you have a question or concern arise if you try to get their attention while they’re actively working on your roof (and probably wearing earbuds).

We recommend asking each roofing contractor you get a bid from if there will be any job supervisors or onsite customer service present during the roof replacement. AIC Roofing and Construction provides onsite customer service that is available and unencumbered to answer questions, deal with issues (everything from can you move your truck to coordinating work schedules) and supervise the work being completed. In our experience, this helps the commercial project run smoothly, on time and with as little disruption as possible to the business. Tenants and property managers alike have found it helpful to have a direct line present.

  • What type of warranties are available?

There are two types of warranties that will apply to your commercial roofing project. The first is a workmanship warranty which is offered by the contractor. Some roofing contractors may not offer this at all. Before putting too much stock in this warranty, make sure your roofing contractor has been around for a few years. If your roofer goes out of business, this warranty is void. We’ve served the Lexington community since 2003, and offer a 10 year workmanship warranty on each roof we complete.

The second type of warranty is a warranty on the materials used. These are commonly referred to as ‘manufacturer’s warranties’ and protect against any manufacturer’s defects. We prefer to use GAF materials because of their industry leading warranties and customer service. 

  • How long, in your estimation, will the job take? How long did your last two similar jobs take to complete?

During the phase of trying to win your business, a roofing contractor may put a positive spin on how long they expect your project to take. Of course, unforeseen issues may arise during roof replacements but your roofing contractor should have experience to efficiently navigate these. 

Inquiring about previous projects can help you get an idea about the roofing contractors experience, and also to see if they were able to deliver on a similar timeframe. Doing your due diligence prior to hiring a roofer can help save you a headache during and after your project. 

  • What is your crew size?

The larger the crew size, the more efficiently your project will run. Having a larger crew also gives your roofer more flexibility to navigate unforeseen issues. If the roofing contractor is just relying on one small crew to quickly complete the project, that is less of a safe bet than multiple, large crews working in conjunction. 

Lexington Commercial Roofer Specializing in Asphalt Roofs

AIC Roofing & Construction, Inc. is your partner in central Kentucky for multi-family properties. We are experienced experts in repairing and replacing asphalt commercial roofing systems and have served the Lexington, Kentucky community since 2003.

We provide professional and timely inspections, repairs, and roof replacements. We can repair or replace fascia and install new gutters on your multi-family property. Oftentimes, even if your gutters can last a few more years, it is cheaper to replace gutters during a roof replacement. 

If you have questions regarding your roof repair or replacement, we can help! We can save you some time by providing answers and explanations of our multi-family work at AIC Roofing & Construction. We have replaced roofs for:

  • Duplexes
  • Quad apartment units
  • Ten-unit buildings
  • A 16-unit building
  • A 72-unit single apartment building
  • A 15-building apartment complex

We would love to see if we’d be a good fit for your roofing repair or replacement. Contact us today to set up your comprehensive, no hassle inspection.

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