Description
Advise owners, designers, and contractors on roof system selection, design, and maintenance. Conduct inspections and assessments; develop scopes, specifications, and cost estimates; oversee field QA; and ensure code, warranty, safety, and performance compliance for roofing and related waterproofing systems.
- • Inspect and diagnose problem roofs to determine repair or replacement strategies.
- • Plan safe roof access for inspections and contractor work; review scaffolding plans.
- • Develop specifications and details for flashing at joints, penetrations, and transitions.
- • Evaluate existing single-ply systems and recommend repair, overlay, or replacement options.
- • Create drawings and scope notes for cutting and fitting materials at angles and penetrations.
- • Assess and specify vapor retarders and roof insulation assemblies for flat roofs.
- • Identify exposed fasteners and detail sealing requirements in punch lists.
- • Define shingle and membrane layout patterns, fastener schedules, and overlaps.
- • Recommend roofing and cladding materials suited to project performance and budget.
- • Specify surface preparation, including removal of snow, water, and debris before work.
- • Determine suitability of built-up or modified bitumen systems; write application requirements.
- • Select and specify coatings and spray-applied systems for sealing, insulating, or soundproofing.
- • Provide waterproofing design and membrane specifications for roofs, walls, and foundations.
- • Establish requirements for hot-applied asphalt or bitumen work and monitor safety compliance.
- • Specify underlayments, slip sheets, and protective layers beneath shingles on sloped roofs.
- • Define substrate repair and smoothing requirements prior to waterproofing.
- • Specify surfacing options, including glaze, mineral cap, or embedded aggregate finishes.
- • Define ballast or aggregate application rates and protection for roof membranes.
- • Specify fastening and attachment methods for slate, tile, and wood roofing to avoid damage.
- • Evaluate and design green roof assemblies; coordinate drainage, media, and irrigation.
- • Recommend and specify cool roof solutions and reflective coatings to reduce heat gain.
- • Coordinate PV mounting details to protect roofing and preserve warranties.
- • Assess attic and roof ventilation; size and specify vents or powered exhaust fans.
- • Coordinate skylight selection and flashing details to improve daylighting and energy performance.
- • Prepare cost estimates, budgets, and life-cycle cost analyses for roofing projects.
- • Write bid documents, review submittals, and administer contractor procurement.
- • Perform roof asset condition surveys, moisture scans, and forensic leak investigations.
- • Conduct field observations and QA inspections; document deficiencies and close out punch lists.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026