Managing rooftop risk: practical steps contractors can take today

Useful takeaways from this story.

Define and document the project scope upfront, including explicit statements of what the contractor will not do.

Create a clear record of post-installation conditions—photos and notes—to protect against later claims when other trades add rooftop components.

Treat routine inspections and maintenance as opportunities to identify hazards, communicate risks to owners, and expand service relationships.

The useful part

Join over 18,000 other roofers who get the Week in Roofing for a recap of this week's best industry posts! Contractors can reduce liability, strengthen customer relationships and protect profitability by addressing the growing complexity of today's rooftops. Ellsworth joined Anchor Products founder Joel Stanley, attorney Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese and roofing technical expert Mark Graham to examine how contractors can better manage rooftop risks.

How it works

Joel explained that managing rooftop risk requires contractors to look beyond the roofing system itself and consider how equipment, penetrations and other rooftop conditions can affect the overall...
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What to take from it

As rooftops become more complex and more trades interact with them, clearly understanding those conditions can help contractors identify potential issues before they become larger problems. As Joel put it, "We can't keep pointing the finger at other people because, quite frankly, the building owner doesn't care. By communicating those conditions to building owners, contractors can reduce risk, strengthen trust and uncover additional opportunities to provide valuable rooftop services.

Example or evidence

Safety remains central to that effort, particularly as more trades and building occupants access rooftops.
He wants water off the floor." That makes planning and clearly defining project scope increasingly important.
Trent stressed that contractors should understand their responsibilities before submitting a bid or signing a proposal, particularly as rooftop systems and code requirements become more complex.
Pointing to a common weakness in project documentation, he explained, "Contractors do a great job at explaining what they are going to do.

Details worth keeping

They do a horrible job at explaining what they are not going to do." Documentation can provide another layer of protection, especially when equipment, penetrations or other rooftop components are added after a roofing contractor completes a project. The panel also emphasized routine inspections, service and maintenance as opportunities to identify unsecured equipment, damaged supports and other developing hazards. Understanding responsibilities, documenting conditions and addressing hazards proactively can help contractors protect people, projects and profitability.