Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing Contractor in Elkhart: 5 Questions to Ask

If you run a business in Elkhart, your building’s roof probably isn’t something you think about very often.

It just sits up there, doing its job, while you focus on running your company, taking care of customers, and keeping things moving.

But the moment that roof starts to leak, sag, or show signs of damage, it jumps straight to the top of your worry list.

And when that happens, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find someone to fix it. Fast.

But here’s where it gets tricky. Finding the right roofing contractor isn’t always easy. There are a lot of companies out there — some local, some from out of town — and it can be hard to tell who really knows what they’re doing.

You don’t want to hand over thousands of dollars to someone who shows up late, cuts corners, or disappears after the job is done. You want a roofing contractor who’s honest, experienced, and trained to handle large commercial buildings like yours.

At American Builders, we’ve worked with a lot of business owners in Elkhart who came to us after having bad experiences with other roofers.

Some got stuck with poor-quality repairs. Others paid for work that didn’t even solve the problem. That’s why we always tell people to ask the right questions before signing any contract.

To help, we’ve put together a simple list of five key questions you should ask any commercial roofing contractor before you hire them. These questions can save you time, money, and stress down the road.

Let’s get into it.

Question 1: Do You Work on Commercial Roofs (Not Just Homes)?

This might seem like a small thing to ask, but it’s actually one of the most important questions you can bring up when choosing a roofing contractor.

There’s a huge difference between working on a house and working on a commercial building.

A residential roof is usually pitched, with shingles and wood framing. It’s smaller, easier to access, and takes different materials and tools.

Commercial buildings, on the other hand, often have flat or low-sloped roofs, and they’re built using totally different systems. You’re talking about TPO, EPDM, PVC, modified bitumen, and coatings. And because commercial buildings are larger and more complex, they need a contractor who really understands how those systems work.

Some roofers in Elkhart focus mainly on houses. That’s their comfort zone.

They do great work on shingles and gutters for homeowners, and then they try to take on a commercial project to fill in their slow season. They figure roofing is roofing. But that mindset can cause big problems for your business.

We’ve seen it happen.

A residential roofer takes on a commercial job thinking it’ll be easy money. They don’t have the right tools. They don’t know how to install or seal large membrane systems. They use the wrong adhesives or flashing.

The result?

Your building gets leaks, bubbles in the roofing membrane, or water pooling near the drains. And now you’re stuck paying for a second repair — or worse, a full replacement — just months after the first one.

Commercial roofing is a specialized trade. It’s not something a contractor should try to “figure out as they go.” You want someone who only works on commercial buildings, and who can show real experience with buildings similar to yours.

So don’t be afraid to ask straight-up:

• Do you focus on commercial roofing, or do you mostly work on houses?

• Have you worked on buildings like mine before — same size, same type of roof?

• Can you show me photos or references from past commercial jobs?

If they pause, get defensive, or give you vague answers, that’s a sign to move on. A true commercial roofing contractor in Elkhart will be proud to show off their work and explain exactly how they’ll handle your roof.

It’s your money and your business. Make sure you’re putting both in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing.

Question 2: Are You Based in Elkhart or Somewhere Else?

When your commercial roof needs work, especially after a storm or long winter, you might start seeing ads pop up everywhere. Billboards, online ads, postcards in the mail — all promising fast, affordable roofing repairs or replacements.

But here’s something most business owners don’t realize at first: a lot of those companies aren’t local.

Some roofing contractors travel into Elkhart from out of state, especially after big storms.

These are what people often call “storm chasers.” They drive in, scoop up as many jobs as they can, and then hit the road once they’ve made their money. They don’t know the area, they don’t stick around, and if something goes wrong with your roof later, they’re already long gone.

That might work fine for them, but it’s a bad deal for you and your business.

Let’s say you hire one of these out-of-town contractors and they put on a new roof. Everything looks good at first. But a few months later, the seams start to lift, or water starts pooling near the drains. You try to call the company, but the number goes to voicemail — or worse, it’s disconnected. They’ve moved on to the next city, and now you’re stuck paying for repairs again, this time out of your own pocket.

That’s why it matters so much to hire a contractor who is actually based in or near Elkhart. Someone who knows the buildings here. Someone who understands the crazy weather we get in Northern Indiana — hot summers, bitter cold winters, heavy snow, and plenty of spring rain. A local roofer knows how to build and repair a roof that can handle all of that.

Plus, when a roofing company is local, they’re easier to reach. If you have a warranty issue, they’re close by and can send someone out quickly. If something needs to be re-checked after a storm, they’re not driving in from hours away. They can be on-site fast and fix the problem before it gets worse.

And here’s another reason to go local: reputation. In a community like Elkhart, word gets around. Local roofers depend on good reviews and referrals. They live here. Their kids go to school here. Their name is tied to the work they do. That means they’re more likely to give you honest answers, fair pricing, and solid craftsmanship — because they care what people think about them in the long run.

So before you sign a contract with any roofing company, ask them where they’re based. Not just the area code — ask where their main office is. Ask if they’ve done other work in Elkhart. Ask how long they’ve been serving local businesses.

If they’re not truly local, think twice. A company that’s part of your community will almost always do a better job, because they’re here for the long haul — not just a quick paycheck.

Question 3: Are You Licensed and Insured for Commercial Work?

This might sound like a simple box to check, but it’s one of the most important things you can ask before hiring any roofing contractor.

You’d think all roofing companies would be licensed and insured — but a surprising number of them aren’t. And if you don’t ask, they probably won’t bring it up. Some contractors cut corners to save money. Others let their paperwork expire and hope no one notices. Either way, it puts you at risk.

Here’s why it matters.

If the contractor doesn’t have the right license, they may not be trained to do the work they’re taking on. That could mean your roof gets installed the wrong way, fails a building inspection, or starts falling apart before the job is even finished.

And if the city finds out, you might be forced to redo the whole thing — out of your own pocket.

Even worse, if the contractor doesn’t carry proper insurance and someone gets hurt on the job, you could be held responsible. If one of their workers falls off your roof or damages another part of your building, the costs could land on you — not them.

A professional, reliable commercial roofer should always carry:

• General liability insurance — this covers accidental damage to your property during the project

• Workers’ compensation insurance — this protects you if someone on their crew gets injured on your site

• A valid roofing license — issued by the state, proving they’re qualified and legally allowed to do the work

The good news? Asking about this is easy. Just say, “Can you show me your license and proof of insurance?”

If they’re legit, they’ll have no problem handing it over. They might even keep a copy ready to show every client. But if they get defensive, change the subject, or say something like “You don’t need to worry about that,” that’s a red flag. That usually means they don’t have it — and they’re hoping you won’t ask again.

Protecting your business starts with hiring people who do things the right way. A licensed and insured contractor has skin in the game. They’ve taken the time and effort to get certified, follow the rules, and back their work with real accountability.

Don’t skip this step. It only takes a minute to ask — and it could save you from a very expensive headache down the road.

Question 4: What Kind of Commercial Roofs Do You Work On?

All commercial roofs might look flat from the street, but they’re not all the same. In fact, there are a bunch of different materials and systems used on commercial buildings — and each one needs to be handled differently.

Some roofs are made of rubber membranes like EPDM. Some are white and reflective, like TPO or PVC. Others are built-up roofing systems, made with layers of asphalt and felt. Some are coated with special materials that protect them from sun and water. And then there are metal roofs, which come with their own set of needs.

This stuff matters — a lot. Because if your roofing contractor doesn’t have experience with the type of roof you have, they might end up using the wrong materials or the wrong repair method. That can lead to serious problems down the road, like leaks, soft spots, ponding water, or seams that start pulling apart after just a few months.

We’ve seen this happen before. A business owner hires someone who mostly works on homes or small patch jobs. The roofer guesses what material they’re dealing with, uses whatever they have in the truck, and finishes the job quickly. It looks fine at first — until it rains or snows and the problems start showing up.

Commercial roofing is not one-size-fits-all. Even though most commercial roofs are flat or low-sloped, the way they’re built and the materials they use are very different. What works for one building won’t always work for another. That’s why you need someone who understands those differences and knows how to handle them the right way.

So here’s what to ask:

• What types of commercial roofing systems do you work on most?

• Have you repaired or replaced roofs made of the same material as mine?

• Can you tell me what kind of roof I have and explain how you’d approach it?

These questions aren’t just about making conversation. They help you figure out whether the contractor really knows their stuff or if they’re just trying to land the job without understanding what your roof needs.

And you don’t need to be an expert yourself. Even if you don’t know what kind of roof your building has, a qualified commercial roofer should be able to tell you on the spot. They should be able to climb up there, take a look, and say, “You’ve got a TPO system that’s about 15 years old,” or “This is an EPDM roof with a coating that’s starting to wear out.”

If the contractor seems unsure, changes the subject, or tries to brush past your questions, that’s a sign they might not have the right experience. And when it comes to commercial roofing, guessing is never good enough.

The bottom line: Make sure the person working on your roof knows exactly what they’re dealing with. Your building is a big investment. Don’t leave it in the hands of someone who’s still learning on the job.

Question 5: Do You Offer a Warranty?

When you’re spending thousands of dollars on a commercial roof repair or replacement, you want to know the work will last. That’s where the warranty comes in. A good roofing warranty isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a promise. It means the company is willing to stand behind their work, and if something goes wrong after the job is finished, they’ll come back to make it right.

But here’s the thing — not all warranties are created equal. Some sound good on the surface, but when you look closer, they barely cover anything at all.

We’ve seen warranties that only cover materials but not labor. That means if the installation was done wrong, you’re stuck paying out of pocket to fix it.

Others might only last a year or two, which really doesn’t help much if your roof fails in year three.

And unfortunately, some contractors don’t offer a warranty at all, or they make it so confusing you don’t even know what you’re getting.

That’s why it’s so important to ask about the warranty up front.

Don’t just assume it’s included. Don’t assume it covers everything.

Ask the contractor to explain exactly what the warranty includes, how long it lasts, and what happens if there’s a problem down the line. A trustworthy roofing company will have no problem going over the details with you. They won’t rush you, and they won’t try to hide anything in fine print.

If they give you a straight answer, that’s a good sign. It means they believe in the quality of their work. It means they’re confident that your roof will hold up and that they’ll be there to back it up if something unexpected happens. But if they dodge the question, get vague, or say something like “We don’t usually have problems,” be careful. That could be a sign they don’t want to deal with issues once the job is done.

At the end of the day, a roof is a big investment. You deserve to know it’s protected. A strong warranty gives you peace of mind and shows that the company cares about more than just getting paid.

They care about doing the job right — and being there for you after it’s finished.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Rush the Decision

Choosing the right commercial roofer in Elkhart doesn’t have to be hard. Just slow down, ask the right questions, and make sure the company you hire actually knows what they’re doing.

The roof over your business isn’t something to gamble on. It protects your building, your equipment, and the people who work inside every day.

Need Help with Your Roof? Let’s Talk

At American Builders, we work only on commercial roofing projects.

That means no homes, no side jobs — just flat and low-slope commercial roofs like yours. We’re based near Elkhart, and we serve all of Northern Indiana, Indiana, plus parts of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.

If your building’s roof needs repairs, restoration, or a full replacement, we’re here to help. We’ll answer your questions honestly, give you a clear quote, and help you protect your investment.

Call us today or request a quote online to get started.

We’ll make sure your commercial roof is done right — the first time.