Roofing Consultant Documents

Document List
This collection of roofing related documents contains a wealth of information about roofing and roof contracting. Bruce Wittenbaum has assembled these documents over the course of his career as a roofing consultant, and is now making them available for your information.

Please feel free to browse the document list and view the free previews. Selected documents are available for purchase in downloadable form. More about previews and download files.

About Bruce & His Consulting Services:

ITEM	PAGES	TITLE	PRICE	PURCHASE
101	1	"Questions That Can Be Answered by Bruce Wittenbaum" (Revised 6/03) full preview	$1.00
102	2	"Roof Misconceptions That Property Owners, Managers, and Specifers Often Have" NOTE: This is a general sales aid that is directed to fee paying clients, but a homeowner should also be aware of these things. (Revised 2/02) full preview	$1.00
103	2	"Task Breakdown/Code" NOTE: This breakdown is of consultant tasks/services in a normal project sequence. (Revised 9/03) full preview	$1.00
104	2	"Standard Terms, Conditions, and Billing Policies" for contracted/purchase ordered services. (Revised 9/03) full preview	$1.00
105	3	"Looking for a Good Roof" by Richard M. Horowitz, 1986. Overview of getting a good roof for commercial property. (Revised 9/03) full preview	$1.00
106	9	"Field Test Service For Wind Uplift" per F.M. Global procedure 1-52. (Revised 9/03) full preview	$2.00
107	2	"New Client Questionnaire" (Revised 9/03) full preview	$2.00
108	4	"Confidential Personal and Job Performance References" (Revised 9/03) NOTE: *Not available, except to qualified, prospective clients. Please phone or e-mail to get acquainted; references are sent when it appears there is a business relationship. Clicking on the shopping cart will not obtain this document.
109	30	"Project/Job List" beginning approximately in the mid-1980s. (Revised 9/03) *Please see NOTE above�item #108.
110		"List of Contractors" to decipher code in Project/Job List (#109) (Revised 9/03) *Please see NOTE above�item #108.
111		"List of Clients" to decipher code in Project/Job List (#109) (Revised 9/03) *Please see NOTE above�item #108.
112	2	"Certificate of General Comprehensive Liability and Workmen's Compensation Insurance" A copy of previously issued certificate will be sent but, if on-property presence by Bruce Wittenbaum is to be made, a certificate issued to the client (you) will be authorized. Please indicate whom you wish to be declared as additional insureds. (Revised 12/03) *Please see NOTE above�item #108.
113	1	IRS form W-9 (declaration of separate entity, independent contractor). (Revised 12/03) *Please see NOTE above�item #108.
114	2	"F.M.R.C. TO CERTIFY ROOFING CONTRACTORS" (Revised Fall/99) and "Poor Quality Construction Trade Work�Property Owners Are At Fault" (Revised 5/97) These items (a news update to past clients and an article in a trade publication)�are both written by Bruce Wittenbaum. Articles discuss the problem of poor performance by contractors. full preview	$2.00
115	6	FORMS�"CONTRACTOR REFERENCES & DATA" and magazine article on subject, plus "Request for Assistance/Confirmation of Data" letter to be sent to references along with contractor data and "Waiver of Confidentiality" (item #116). NOTE: These documents are time consuming to execute, but are a paper method of qualifying the apparent low bid contractors. Failure to do this could lead to many later problems. If a contractor is well known, this step can be eliminated. full preview	$2.00
116	1	FORM�"WAIVER OF CONFIDENTIALITY" Contractor must send this completed form, found in the Appendix of the Specification, included with his QUOTATION/PROPOSAL, in order for his bid to be accepted. Before the award of, or during the project, it may be necessary to get some information from the contractor or third parties. This waiver�release removes contractor obstruction and "comebacks" of wrongful "snooping." NOTE: This form is usually "APPENDIX-H," so if you buy a bidder's package/specification in the 400 # series, you can check the Table of Contents to see if you are already getting this form. Normal execution/use is to put a copy at the back of the bidder package with a copy of the "Bidder Quotation/Proposal." If the estimator errors in the entry of data, he has an unchanged, new copy of each in the specifications to make a duplicate form. This saves a lot of phone calls requesting additional forms. Using prescribed forms greatly facilitates complete proposals and saves time. full preview	$2.00
117	7	CHECK LIST�"PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE" This check-list should be customized to reflect what you wish to cover at the meeting. NOTE: It is important to have the key people attend, so if the contractor does not give positive confirmation that the foreman will be there, or at the last minute the foreman does not appear at the meeting, then there is a big problem. A rescheduled meeting is required, or you need a different contractor. Don't forget to get submittals/documents in advance of the meeting, or a contractor commitment to bring them to the meeting. Contractors want to keep the foreman on jobs making money for the contractor. Sometimes delaying the "REQUIRED" meeting is what the contractor wishes to do, so he can control the schedule of the project to his best interests. THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE USUALLY IS AN INDICATOR OF HOW THE PROJECT WILL BE EMBRACED BY THE CONTRACTOR; EXPECT DIFFICULTIES HERE TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT. (Revised 8/86) full preview	$2.00
118	4	"ROOF WARRANTY KNOWLEDGE QUIZ" This article appeared in a trade publication�September 1997. All the answers should be "yes." There are no tricky questions. The best situation/outcome is a project properly designed and executed, because then a property owner does not have to go through the frustrating dealings with roof product manufacturers and roof contractors. The point being � spend the time and money to achieve the "good roof," which then properly performs and makes guarantees and warranties not needed. (Revised 9/97) full preview	$2.00
119	2	"MARKETPLACE CHANGES AND RESPONSE" Roofing is no different than other services or commodities; circumstances beyond your control can cause a swing in prices. In the mid-90s, with a building boom and a galloping economy, labor became in short supply for roofing, so prices escalated. This article suggested some things to do. 2003 has been neither bust or boom for roofing projects, although plywood and oriented strand board decking have more than doubled in cost. The article offers some suggestions on what to do in a BOOM roofing/economy. It seems events occur in cycles. (Revised 5/97) full preview	$2.00
120	5	"ASTM and ROOF CONSULTANTS" (Revised 5/96) and "Referenced Standards and the International Codes" (Revised 12/03) This magazine article points out the benefits of being an ASTM member. An individual membership now costs $75/year, but a free standards book of your choice is included, always costing much more than the membership. If you write specifications or use them, being an ASTM member is a wise deal you should not pass up. Volume 04.04 covers roofing. The codes article is simply to emphasize ASTM use in codes. full preview	$2.00
121	19	"Unconventional Maintenance and Repair Approaches" This is a paper presented at the 1986 seminar of S.S.P.C. (Techniques for Long-Term Protection of Steel Structures). The topic exposes repair methods using thermoset plastic resins that are unconventional. (Revised 2/86) abstract preview	$5.00
122	12	"Prevention and Salvage of Equipment From the Effects of Erosion /Corrosion by the Unconventional Use of Coatings" This was a paper presented at the 1987 NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) seminar�High Performance Coatings and Linings for Hostile Environments. The topic covers repair methods using thermoset plastic resins to overcome fluid flow wear and tear on equipment. (Revised 3/87) abstract preview	$5.00
123	41	"ROOF SURVEY (EXAMPLE)" This is an actual roof survey of a retail store, approximately 120 miles away. It is representative of Bruce's work. The cost to the client was approximately $800. (Revised 10/03) full preview	$10.00
124	17	"INSURANCE CLAIM, RESIDENTIAL ROOF, HAIL LOSS, INSPECTION REPORT (EXAMPLE)" This is an actual report without all the attachments. The cost of this work is roughly $650. The inspection was approximately 60 miles away, but other inspections in the same area were completed on the same day. Inspections for insurance companies are usually executed when the claim is unsettled or disputed. Many such inspections have been performed over the years. In every instance, the insured settled with his insurance company, and there was never a lawsuit, but the claims adjuster knew exactly what would be found. These jobs are an experience in educating those who are uninformed. The insurance company has no input or control over the inspection or the findings. (Revised 6/01) full preview	$10.00

BULLETINS: WARNING, ALERT, DISCLOSURE, SAFETY

ITEM	PAGES	TITLE	PRICE	PURCHASE
201	11	"Audit/Performance Check List" of property owner's facilities people regarding roofs. NOTE: This document is for the owner, board of directors, CEO, etc. to use. The content is volatile and revealing. This condensed disclosure is not able to be previewed, but some lines taken from this disclosure are: "Over the years Bruce has been a roof consultant, he has found RAMPANT CORRUPTION/BAD JUDGMENT"; "Some of these manufacturers�. THEY PITCH TOTAL EXECUTION, EASY-LOW INVOLVEMENT BY OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE, SUPERIOR PRODUCTS/PERFORMANCE, GOOD WARRANTY, ETC., BUT ACTUALLY DELIVER POOR TO MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JOBS, AT PREMIUM PRICES. These companies are SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIERS"; This is commonly called 'PROPRIETARY or CLOSED' specifications"; "There are design professionals who write PROPRIETARY/CLOSED SPECIFICATIONS. �It appears that they are the problem, not those they are working for�. A public facilities manager is easily intimidated by a registered architect, etc. who puts his experience/knowledge forth in his justifications"; "REMEMBER THERE ARE GOOD MANUFACTURERS OUT THERE, SO THERE IS NO NEED TO FALL PREY TO THE POOR MANUFACTURERS"; "IT IS UNWISE TO BELIEVE WHAT ROOFING PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS SAY!"; "THE TRUTH IS THAT EVERYDAY, COMMON, PROVEN ROOFING PRODUCTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND CAN PRODUCE A LONG-LIVED, RELIABLE ROOF, AT LOW COST, BUT POOR EXECUTION BY THE CONTRACTOR WILL PREVENT EVEN THE BEST PRODUCTS FROM PERFORMING"; "CONTRACTORS ARE A NEEDED SERVICE PROVIDER. MOST OF THEM CAN BE EXPECTED TO DO WHAT IS IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS." (Revised 12/03)	$30.00
202	11	"BEWARE IN SELECTING A ROOF CONSULTANT" NOTE: This document discloses the problems in finding a roof consultant, having only your interests to serve. The content is volatile and revealing. This condensed disclosure is not able to be previewed, but some lines from it are: "PHONE BOOK�generally roofing contractors and salesmen for roof products are in the listings"; "INTERNET WEB SITE�a Google search for roof consultant will give 90,000 situations"; "RCI DIRECTORY�BRUCE SEES THE DIRECTORY, WHICH IS MEANT TO BE USED BY PROPERTY OWNERS/MANAGERS TO FIND ROOF CONSULTANTS, AS A BETRAYAL TO PROPERTY OWNERS/MANAGERS"; "RCI � CERTIFICATION OF MEMBERS�IS FATALLY FLAWED AND NOT TRUSTWORTHY"; "The organization of RCI is set up to preserve the power structure"; "RCI has grown, but its potential is stunted by special/self-interests"; "REFERRAL FROM ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER/MANAGER";�"Sometimes people giving referrals are not knowledged/ignorant." Item #201 and this document complement each other. Getting the right team is probably the best guarantee that good results will be derived. (Revised 12/03)	$20.00
203	12	"Tricks Used by Contractors to Gain Control and do What They Want" NOTE: This document can "pre-warn" anyone embarking on a roofing project, on behalf of a property owner. This is a partial list, as new tricks are always popping up; the content is revealing. The condensed disclosure is able to be previewed. (Revised 12/03) full preview	$5.00
204	66	"GUIDELINE�How to Deal With Asbestos" This document mainly gives an overview for proper understanding. Asbestos is not a major cost factor on most projects, but mishandling can open an owner up to limitless costs/liability. (Revised 4/90,12/03) full preview	$7.00
205	71	"GUIDELINE�How to Deal With LEAD and Other Toxic Constituents in PAINT" This document mainly gives an overview for proper understanding. Repainting often is a part of projects, or paint chips sometimes litter existing roofs. This is not a major cost factor on most projects, but mishandling can open up an owner to limitless costs/liability. (Revised 3/04) full preview	$7.00
206	35	Letter to Clients�CERCLA & SUPERFUND, "NOTICE�EPDM RUBBER (SINGLE PLY ROOF MEMBRANE) REUSE," Pertinent Reference Articles NOTE: This grouping of papers covers the WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING issues. The EPDM recycling NOTICE was sent to the fire departments or local governments in the area of an EPDM tear-off project. This was done to find reusers. The specifications required the contractor to cut the EPDM into at least 10 ft. x 10 ft. pieces and fold them up with the size marked on the outside. Reuse of the EPDM for roofing membrane was prevented by giving the EPDM sheets to public institutions. It takes an extra effort to recycle, instead of disposal to a landfill. The use of SANITARY LANDFILLS was covered by the "Letter to Clients." C & D (construction and demolition) LANDFILLS are used, but careful paperwork and unannounced following of hauls must be done. When specifications require more costly disposal than is required by the law, owners must expect contractors not to conform to the specifications. full preview	$5.00

EDUCATION:

ITEM	PAGES	TITLE	PRICE	PURCHASE
301	6	"Tutorial�INTRODUCTION TO ROOFING" Read this if you are not sure of your roofing knowledge. It is an overview, in simple terms. (Revised 12/03) full preview	$2.00

WORKING�BIDDING�SPECIFICATION DOCUMENTS :

ITEM	PAGES	TITLE	PRICE	PURCHASE
401	71	TYPICAL SPECIFICATION FOR FULL PREVIEW�"ART MUSEUM TILE ROOF CONVERSION TO COPPER ROOF" This is a short specification, showing typical boilerplate content/arrangement, typical of most specifications listed below. (Revised 12/00) full preview	$10.00
402	31	"RESIDENTIAL STEEP SLOPE ROOF-OVER OR TEAR-OFF & REROOF SPECIFICATION, USING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES" NOTE: This same specification can be used on commercial roofs, but there are some other considerations, so also consider purchasing #s 403 and 404. (Revised 12/03) full preview	$15.00
403	34	"COMMERCIAL STEEP SLOPE ASPHALT SHINGLE CONSIDERATIONS & OTHER TYPES OF SHINGLES" This set of considerations is a companion document to item #402. (Revised 12/03) full preview	$5.00
404	14	"NEW CONSTRUCTION FLAT ROOF BITUMEN SPECIFICATION & CONCRETE TILE STEEP SLOPE ROOFS" NOTE: This specification is meant to be used as an addendum to architectural drawings/written specifications. The membranes allowed are (BUR) BUILT-UP-ROOF, APP Modified Bitumen, and SBS Modified Bitumen. The objective is COMPETITION to derive a low/fair price, yet produce a durable roof membrane that should last 15 or more years. (Revised 12/03) full preview	$15.00
405	95	"FLAT COMMERCIAL ROOF-OVER/REROOF USING BALLASTED EPDM SINGLE PLY (RUBBER) BIDDERS PACKAGE" NOTE: This package has all the pieces (some of which you may not need).Duralast PVC was an optional bid to base bid (EPDM). The existing ballasted EPDM roofs had failing seams & flashings (read document # 201) and broken glass in the ballast, they were not very salvageable. A lower- original asphalt BUR was under the EPDM system. The deck was flat concrete; the structure was designed to have another story. Owner wanted a minimum expense project, so top EPDM roof was reroofed. The BUR system was left in place. Read paragraph X.9 on page #3 for a summary description of the project. (Revised 8/31/00) partial preview	$30.00
406	124	"STEEP & FLAT ROOF COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE HANGER REROOF BIDDERS PACKAGE, WHERE TWO APPROACHES WERE SPECIFIED (ADHERED EPDM & STRUCTURAL STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF ON NEW STEEL FRAMING � SSSMRS), PLUS PAINTING OF ALL METAL ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF HANGER" NOTE: This package has all the pieces (some of which you may not need). The existing roof was a 50% adhered in asphalt PIB (polyisobutylene) membrane on top of up to 3 inches of rigid fiberglass board which was mechanically secured to steel decking. The EPDM reroof approach required tear off of the PIB from the fiberglass with new Isocyanurate board covered by wood fiber board. The SSSMRS required tear off of the old roof down to the deck. The owner chose the EPDM approach, which was low cost; the SSSMRS would have probably lasted the life of the structure. There were many intricacies. The steep slope ( 3":12" ) caused the fire resistant ( FR ) EPDM compound to be specified to achieve a Class A fire rating. This package has the toxic constituent paint test results and required practices to do the repainting. Paragraph X.9 is an overall description of project. (Revised 1/00) partial preview	$40.00
407		"FLAT ROOF, PUBLIC WATER WORKS FACILITY, REROOF BIDDERS PACKAGE WHERE THREE APPROACHES WERE SPECIFIED (COAL TAR PITCH BUR, ADHERED EPDM, & METAL ROOF � SSSMR) NOTE: Not Yet Available for Order

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