Why Roof Construction Observation is Important for Your Building’s Future

March 28, 2025

Investing in a new commercial roof is a big decision, and this is because of the many benefits that come with one, like better building performance, lower operation costs later on, and better defense against weather. Here at Wharry Engineering, the contractor can do most of the heavy lifting with the process, but having a trusted third party on-site like us to verify installation details, documentation, and spec compliance helps prevent small mistakes that turn into bigger issues.

Staying True to the Design

Modern roof systems are assemblies with specific requirements, often consisting of proper:

  • Insulation thickness
  • Fastening patterns
  • Membrane overlaps
  • Flashing details
  • Drainage slope
  • Penetrations
  • Edge metal

When a crew deviates from the drawings or requirements then the performance can derail quite fast. Roof construction observation helps keep the project aligned with the original design intent and the system’s approved installation method.

Protecting the Roof and the Building

The roof is your first line of defense for everything underneath it: tenants, inventory, equipment, and interior finishes. In 2025, the risks are even higher because of more extreme weather days, so a roof that looks fine on day one can still be vulnerable if details were rushed or skipped.

A third-party observer is watching for things like termination bars, sealant continuity, transitions, and water-management details that don’t show up until month ten.

Save Costs

Roof construction observation is also about keeping a record of what happened at the time of construction. So if you have a leak or something, we’ll be able to help you save a lot of time and money with our organized notes or photos that show verification that it wasn’t your doing.

Our observation services help catch these early on:

  • Spec deviations
  • Drainage issues
  • Workmanship gaps
  • Missing Documentation

If you’re planning a roof replacement or major repair, construction observation helps you get the roof you paid for. Contact us today to take advantage of our roof construction observation service today!