26 Sep Picking the Right Consultant
In most instances, you could utilize a consultant to help with evaluating, investigating, and/or designing your building enclosure project. As buildings get more complicated and projects get more expensive, there is no margin for error and improperly spent money. Picking the right consultant for your next project is a critical part of the process. Specifically, a consultant should be, truly 3rd party with no conflict of interest, honest, and accredited.
Many companies will claim to be 3rd party consultants when they are not. For example, some companies that offer to “consult” on a project are also trying to sell you something. This is a big red flag. They’ll tell you that you need their specific product when that may not be the case. There is no panacea or magical product that covers all building types thus, you need someone who will consider all possibilities. Another example is when a consultant insists their company perform the work. The danger here is that they could charge you for more work than is needed and likely won’t have the knowledge & ability you really need. Just because someone has “been doing this for 30 years” doesn’t mean they are an expert. For example, does the person who has changed motor oil for the past 30 years understand how to design and engineer a vehicle?
This is why we believe accreditations are important, as they can assist you in identifying a qualified consultant. Many qualified consultants are registered and carry accreditations from IIBEC (The International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants). IIBEC is a fellowship of building enclosure professionals actively involved in the industry who share diverse areas of expertise and share a common goal of sustaining the highest standards for education, performance, and professionalism.
Consultants that are members of IIBEC operate through bylaws that must be followed. According to Article 16 of the IIBEC, “consultant members… shall not be employees or principals of any business entities controlling or directing the application, manufacture, distribution, sales, or marketing of roofing, waterproofing, and/or exterior wall products and services, and shall have no conflict of interest.”
These sorts of associations and accreditations are vital in your search for a consultant on your next project. As a consultant member of the IIBEC, RoofTech Consulting is a third-party consulting company with no ties that operates honorably within the industry.
Check out some of the services RoofTech Consulting provides here: https://rooftechconsulting.com/consulting/.