Commercial roofing projects enhance energy efficiency, increase property value, and require less maintenance, among other benefits. However, building owners often worry about commercial roofing disruptions. To mitigate these risks, avoid surprises, and maintain business continuity, collaboration between the contractor, tenant and landlord’s project teams are essential.
This article will talk about challenges and strategies to minimize commercial roofing disruptions. The “good news” is that with proper planning and coordination the disruptions can be either avoided altogether or kept to a minimum. Often workaround solutions can also be implemented.
Strategies to minimize commercial roofing disruptions
A crucial part of the roofing process is being able to find solutions to issues that may arise, including noise, building access, and other inconveniences. Collaboration to minimize disruptions during a commercial roofing project starts by identifying potential issues and developing a plan for proactively mitigating risks and the impact on business operations, employee productivity and morale, and customer satisfaction.
Below are strategies to create a positive experience and outcome for all stakeholders.
1. The Challenge: Customer and tenant access
Customers or tenants might avoid the premises because of noise, odour, change of physical access, limited parking, change of hours and/or other inconveniences.
The Solution: Pre-project planning and Communication with Tenants/Customers
The project team should establish procedures to inform building tenants about the upcoming object. Identify any potential disruptions or changes and answer any questions they may have about the plans and process.
Building preparation
Preparing the building for upcoming construction work will make for a smoother process with fewer disruptions and hazards. Several steps for preparing the building include:
- Equipment, inventory, and people: Wherever possible, remove or stow away equipment and inventory. Also determine whether tarping or other measures are needed to protect people below, exposed equipment and inventory, parking areas, landscaping, and other vulnerable items around the building’s exterior. Where necessary, the contractor will also post signage, install fencing, or take other steps to secure tools, equipment, and materials. Let’s also not forget the need for an on-site portable toilet.
- Employee and customer comfort: Plan for service interruptions for HVAC, water, electricity, and other necessities. If needed, provide temporary facilities, such as break rooms. Solutions to increase comfort include equipment and techniques for noise-reducing equipment, dust suppression, air quality, and other construction-related impacts.
- Vehicles and traffic: The effects of construction on driving and parking often cause disruptions to employees, customers, and deliveries. Plans must provide uninterrupted and safe access to entrances and exits, traffic flow, emergency egress, and alternate parking/loading zones–all marked with clear signage.
- Tenants: In multi-unit properties, the client or their agent should send a written notice to all occupants advising them to prepare their premises by moving or otherwise protecting any sensitive items. Keep the safety of rooftop workers, employees, customers, and others near the construction area a top priority. Establish emergency procedures, including marking off construction zones and restricting access to hazardous areas.
Learn more: 10 Essential Steps for a Commercial Flat Roof Replacement
2. The Challenge: Employee productivity
Many business owners have experienced problems with employee productivity and know the consequences. During roofing projects, employee attitudes can be affected by extended disruptions and inconveniences. There may be changes in access to selected places in the building for a short time, temporary loss of HVAC, and other issues affecting comfort and productivity.
The Solution: Prior Communication with Employees
The importance of communication from pre-planning through project completion can’t be understated. Occupants and customers must also be made aware of hazards and how to avoid injuries. Clear communication will help businesses avoid damages from unprotected inventory and equipment. Clear lines of communication between all stakeholders can prevent unwanted surprises and set realistic expectations about disturbances.
Elements of positive communication throughout the process include:
- Pre-project planning: A little planning saves a lot of aggravation. The roofing contractor should hold pre-project planning meetings with all stakeholders. This meeting should hammer out project details, timelines, potential impacts on operations, clear lines of communication, and strategies to minimize disruptions and ensure safety. The landlord should also schedule a pre-bid job walk-through. They should provide all prospective bidders of other trades, such as HVAC and plumbing, the opportunity to view the project and ask questions so they can provide fixed price or T&M (Time and Materials) quotes.
- Regular project meetings: The project team should hold regular meetings to review status, address concerns, and provide feedback. In addition, the contractor should establish a working area map that is regularly updated. This enables the preparation needed to minimize disruptions.
- Communication and expectations during the project timeframe: Set expectations for employees and customers. This includes changes to access, parking, hours of operation, temporary location changes, and other changes or potential disruptions.
3. The Challenge: Legal and regulatory compliance
The cost and complexity of commercial construction are influenced by the need to comply with stringent building codes, zoning regulations, industry guidelines, safety and fire regulations, and environmental requirements. Developers must allocate resources for permits and inspections, which can increase project budgets and timelines. Failure to keep pace with regulatory changes and integrate them into the planning processes may result in fines, penalties, work orders, legal action, delays, or even forced closure of the building.
The Solution: Flexible Scheduling and Building Preparation
Roofing crews will have a safer environment, be more comfortable, and avoid workflow disruptions by being flexible. The contractor will also need to make scheduling decisions early each day in case of inclement weather or the consequences of a storm on the previous day.
This includes building preparations as mentioned previously in this article, as well as a “back-up plan” in case weather-related disruptions do arrive. By having the building prepared and up to code, stakeholders can avoid any unwanted legal issues that may arise.
Tenants can also offer their employees flexible options. For example, remote or hybrid work, alternate work facilities, adjusted service hours, or other accommodations for greater productivity, fewer workflow disruptions, and enhanced comfort. Customers will need to be notified about any changes that may affect them.
Learn more: 12 Essential Steps for Managing a Commercial Roofing Project in Toronto
Collaborate with a commercial roofing specialist
When anticipating a roofing project, it pays to carefully plan and implement steps to minimize disruption and provide for the comfort of employees, customers, and work crews. The time and effort involved will result in better outcomes all around. This includes revenue, employee experience, customer satisfaction, and maintaining a safe environment. Be sure to hire a commercial roofing specialist with a reputation for positive collaboration, communication, and workmanship.
Elite Roofing, specializing in commercial and industrial projects, will work closely with you throughout the process to manage the impact of your roofing project on your business operations, employees, and customers. For craftsmanship you can trust in the Greater Toronto Area, contact Elite Roofing.
