TACTICAL ROOF CONSULTING
SOUTH FLORIDA
Tactical Roof Consulting’s Unique Construction Background
ABOUT US
ROOF CONSULTING
The horizon is limitless with great Communication
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster” - Sun Tzu
Commercial
Buildings
HOA Communities
TACTICAL SERVICES
We provide:
- detailed roof inspections
- moisture surveys
- thermal imaging
- material testing
- code compliance review
- system design
- bid analysis
- project management
- quality assurance
- maintenance & warranty planning
- the best communication in the business
Residential Homes
INSPECTIONS
We are a one-stop shop working closely with architects, engineers, testing laboratories, and manufacturer representatives to determine a thorough analysis of the current roofing and waterproofing system and all potential options moving forward. During the inspection, we will assess the potential for repairs, coatings, recoveries, overlays, or reroofs (replacements). We will review as-built plans as necessary and material testing using our visual and state-of-the-art instruments.
Together, we review inspection results to ensure all parties are comfortable with recommendations moving forward. In one case, if we find storm or emergency restoration damage during an inspection, we will provide specialized reports for others who need to get involved, such as Insurance Adjusters, Public Adjusters, Independent Adjusters, and Attorneys on your behalf.
Damage can occur in numerous and unexpected ways. From weather to burglary and fire. We recommend a set of trained eyes on your roof before your options are left to uninformed consultants or contractors.
Observations &
Examinations
Supervise & Enforce
TACTICAL’S STRATEGIES
Educate & Propose
A formidable plan is certainly half the battle, but many moving parts must be constantly managed. It takes a complete team, including the contractors, to win the fight against weather, supply shortages, unexpected delays, and any problems that arise during construction.
We will treat your property as our own as we conduct a thorough assessment and investigation. Understanding the science of the current system dictates what materials can come in contact with each other and how to dispose of them safely.
Explaining the findings in layman’s terms is an art in which we have become exceptional. Our goal is to give you the knowledge to make informed decisions; anything less is a disservice.
Since there are millions of roofing system options for any given roof, let's ensure you have a minimum of good, better, and best options! Depending on your needs, that could range from repair, recovery, and reroof to three different reroof systems, ranging from asphalt multi-ply to PVC single-ply.
One course of action does not provide enough diversity to make an educated decision. Our job is to give you the tools to decide what is best. We are here to help with the decisions based on financials, insurance requirements for renewal, or the property's longevity.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Design
Based on your building envelope and location, we will design the roofing and waterproofing system you need with the manufacturer's representative and engineer.
In Progress Inspections
Our strict inspections throughout the process ensure everything is clear and details are understood. Honesty is the baseline, and perfection is the standard.
Construction
More than planning, budgeting, and staying within the timeframe, the most essential part of the job is ensuring we do everything right the first time on site. Observations are made and relayed to the collective group on daily status reports.
Contractor Selection
We vet all contractors and go through every estimate to ensure they compare apples to apples and understand their responsibility and accountability.
We also do what nobody else does and waive our consulting fee if you choose one of our recommended contractors.
We take being an intermediary to all sides extremely seriously because we know it involves tremendous responsibility. The level of communication required to make a large project run seamlessly is nothing short of demanding. Transparency starts far before the first day of roofing, when we do our initial walk-throughs and make recommendations for the betterment of the building.
HVAC and accessory recommendations, safety precautions and transportation for the public, material storage, loading zones, and creating chronological roof sections for the project are just the basic steps we prepare to make life simple and safe for everyone. Everyone needs to be on the same page every day of the process, including when split-second decisions are required.
Maintenance & Warranty
Knowing the difference between Maintenance and Warranty starts with the manufacturer. Many contractors will give their craftsmanship warranty of 1-10 years depending on the system, covering labor and materials. What most clients run into is the fact that each company has their own warranty standards. Most communities and owners desire a roofing contractor that is certified to give a 20-year No Dollar Limit warranty (or better). This means the contractor can go out of business, but the manufacturer still covers the roof.
Did you know that most manufacturers do not cover any of the roof accessories, which can include, but are not limited to, edge metal, goosenecks, thru-wall scuppers, fan motor housings, skylights, chimney flashing, pitch pockets, parapet walls, or anything that the manufacturer doesn't fabricate?
Almost all problems arise from these areas!!
One example of this would be during a wind event, if a drip edge gets torn off from a Mule-Hide TPO roof, and it was fabricated from anyone other than Mule-Hide, you are not covered under the 20-year NDL warranty or the contractor.
Not all manufacturers run away from responsibility, but commonly, most do not cover anything that is not part of their designed systems. This means all accessories should be part of recommended yearly maintenance programs. We are happy to recommend site-specific maintenance programs, but first, we would ensure that the manufacturer's recommended system covers as many of these problem areas as possible. Sometimes, it can be as simple as asking the contractor to spend the extra money to buy a thru-wall scupper from the manufacturer instead of field fabricating it.
maintenance programs
EXTEND ROOF LIFE
REDUCE EMERGENCY REPAIRS
REDUCE
UTILITY
COSTS
PRESERVE WARRANTIES
GOING ABOVE & BEYOND
What an Initial Walk-Through Should Entail
The walkthrough is the beginning of the project and the first time to gather everyone together in one location.
Safety Protocol
The most important part of any project.
Tactical Roof Consulting
Headquarters
Office Hours
Monday to Saturday
8:00 am to 6:00 pm (EST)
What an Initial Walk-Through Should Entail
Author: Nick Soverns
The first walk-through will take place prior to the materials being delivered to ensure the H.O.A., management company, owners, contractors (including project manager), engineers and architects (if needed) and consultants all understand the plan of action. This will include hours of operation, projected time frames, which sections are going to be worked on and in which order, where dumpsters and port-a-potty’s will be located, location of the material staging and loading zones, where parking for the crews will be located, public transportation and handicap service entrances, trash and recycling pickup locations, and any other job specific details (i.e. guard gate code/pass).
I would recommend at this stage that the H.O.A., property management, or owners send out letters to the community giving its tenants or employees a synopsis of what’s to be expected. It should include work hours, days of the week, location of construction, storage, and loading zones, project manager’s contact information, movement of vehicles and heavy duty construction equipment on site, parking and all other pertinent information to those on the premises. It should also mention the danger and procedures around them.
If there is a vehicle that is deemed in-danger of the project by the contractor or consultant, it will need to be moved within 24 hours and paid for at the owner’s expense. This goes for the entire process so if there are out of town owners, they should make arrangements with someone local or do so prior to leaving.
If any part of the building envelope will change, it must be discussed with the contractor at least 30 days prior to commencement of the project and a written letter shall be sent to give adequate time for preparation. I would also recommend that the contractor and owners walk through the entire building recording damages and taking photos prior to the loading of the materials. It is the responsibility of the supply and loading company for any damage caused by heavy machinery during the materials loading process. If the contractor uses a 3rd party dumpster hauling service, it is the responsibility of the hauling company for any damage caused by their dumpsters and haulers.
Accessories Inspection Prior to Tear Off
Author: Nick Soverns
Prior to the roofers starting the tear off, an HVAC or electrical contractor needs to inspect all of the mechanical connections (whips, flexible conduit, hard pipe conduit, boxes, disconnects, freon lines including insulation wrap, etc) on the roof to alert everyone of the problems before the job begins. This will remove any confusion of ownership when something stops working during the project or at the end of the job when a separate contractor inspects a particular unit’s mechanical.
There are a lot of unavoidable problems that arise with Air Conditioning units on roofs and everyone should know what to expect prior to the job starting so that the contractor isn’t blamed and expected to pay for the damages after the problem does arise. It is my recommendation that emergency repairs be done as needed throughout the project, but not to replace all of the broken pieces until the roof is substantially completed. This means not after the roof is finalized, but before so that the roofers don’t need to come back after the fact and redo any work jeopardizing any warranties.
If lightning protection systems were previously installed, they should be inspected and removed by a Lightning Protection System contractor if they impede the roofing project. The system should then be reinstalled after the roof is completed by the same contractor and not attached to the membrane of the roof. It MUST float on top of separation blocks to prevent damage to the roof.
Safety Protocol
Author: Nick Soverns
Safety cones, caution tape, fall protection, scaffolding, signage, and any other necessary OSHA certified equipment will be erected to clearly block off areas from the public and provide safe conditions for the contractor. At all times, safety is the first priority. Any cars that normally park within 25’ of the building perimeter will need to move within any loading zones, construction material or removal zones, work zones, or storage zones until all parties agree that it is safe to return to normal protocol.
The roof will be off limits at all times to anyone not given explicit permission by someone at the walk-through. All others must be made aware, especially in emergency situations like a HVAC contractor needing to replace lines.
If mechanical equipment can draw in hazardous fumes during the project, it is my recommendation that those units make the temperature lower and then be shut off completely from just before that area is worked on, up until the fumes have dissipated (this could last 24-48 hours depend on the materials). At that point, they should resume normal activity. Sometimes this is not possible, but it needs to be made aware of in case some occupants have reactions.
All visitors (amazon, food delivery services, special transportation, trash pickup, guests of anyone in the building, etc.) must follow all Safety protocols or they cannot hold the roofing contractor responsible for damage to their person or personal property. For example, if they park next to a dumpster in a dump zone and rocks hit their car, it is their liability insurance that will cover the damage.
Heavy machinery will be on site constantly, so it is highly advised that everyone drives carefully and keep their heads on a swivel.
The goal every day is to make sure all sections of that day are completely watertight before leaving. Sometimes that will include longer workdays to ensure no water gets in overnight. Tie in Details will be spelled out by the contractor and agreed to by the owners. (Consultant is not responsible for creating the Tie in Detail and the manufacturers’ representatives will never write it down either.)
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Author: Nick Soverns
It is my recommendation that the roofers schedule this project between November 1st and May 1st to mitigate as many weather related problems as possible. Weather can easily make a job take 2-3 times longer than originally projected in Florida’s summer months.
If everyone agrees to special working hours (overnight, early morning, late night, etc.), obtain special permission as needed from the municipality to create the most efficient plan for the contractor.
The roofing contractor will work long days frequently and will disclose how many workers will be on site through substantial completion of the project (when only the punch out remains).
Inspections will be occurring throughout the project, by the consultant, municipality or special inspectors, and the manufacturer’s warranty department (if it is a necessary part of the project).
Updates throughout the project should be made in written formatting such as emails or texts with multiple individuals include, for example, the owners, contractors, consultants, H.O.A., property management, and/or any other necessary contacts.
Updates should be made Weekly at a minimum (depending on the project, it could be daily) with pictures to show progress.
If there is an aesthetic decision that needs to be made during the job, the HOA, property management, and owners should take no more than 48 hours before a final decision is reached to ensure nothing is hampering the contractor’s schedule.