The HOA Board Quarterly Fall 2014 Issue #11 | Page 7

Eight Roofing Tips by James Adams 8 Things all HOA Board of Directors should know before making a roofing decision There’re a many Home Owners Associations that are managed by Community Association/Property Management Companies. Ultimately, however, the Board of Directors are the ones who have the responsibility of making the budgeting decisions. Roofing is often a large part of that equation. Roofs are often one of the largest investments throughout a community. Therefore, it is vital that the roofing decisions are made correctly. We’ve compiled a list that works not only for the Board of Directors, but also Managing Agent who are in the process of making roofing decisions. 1. First, find out who the current manufacturer of your roof/s is to determine if there is a warranty attached. 2. Secondly, find a roofing contractor who you can trust. The best place to look is your local trade associations. For HOA specific associations, try Community Associations Institute (CAI), California Association of Community Managers (CACM), or if you are a property manager, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) or Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). The websites will generally have an online directory if you are pressed for time. community members of the association rules and regulations and policies, can help save big bucks on roof leaks/repairs! 7. When receiving bids, it’s very important to compare apples to apples. It’s very common for bids to be thousands of dollars apart. That’s because there are so many variables on the roof. The best way to do this is to invite the contractors to a board meeting and discuss the details. This is also a good way to see if the company is a good fit. 8. Finally, learn about the company and their reputation. Many roofing contractors were barely holding on by a thread through the recession. There are many documented cases where roofing contractors have pulled-off the job because of financial instability. HOA If you have any questions regarding this article, feel free to contact RSI Roofing at 858-278-7200 or visit them online at www.thinkrsi.com Article by James Adams, Director of Sales & Marketing Cell: 858-926-6320 [email protected] 13100.2.1.011.qxd:13100.2.1.011 3/15/12 9:19 AM Page 1 3. Ensure that the roofing contractor has the proper insurance (with no HOA exclusions…your insurance agent can assist with this). 4. Safety is a big one. Request that the roofing contractor share their safety program and provide proof they are up to date and conform to all OSHA safety requirements/standards. You don’t want to be liable if an accident were to occur. 5. Does the roofing contractor have the ability and resources to get the job done right and on time? Ask for references of similar jobs and call them! 6. When the roofing contractor does perform the roof inspection, don’t be surprised to see unapproved satellite dishes, solar or other damage in the inspection report. Regular reminders to your We specialize in weekly service and total pool care. With our care your pool will be pristine! Call us at 619-417-4572 www.markspoolcare.com Fall 2014 | Issue #11 | The HOA Board Quarterly | 7