What should I know about a roofing company’s dumpster and lift equipment?

Ask for an equipment list that shows each item, its age, how it was acquired and whether any loan or lease is attached. Compare the list to what you actually see in the yard. Rental items do not transfer automatically, and financed items may carry payments that continue after closing, so your lawyer and accountant should review them.

Then look at upkeep. Request service records, inspection tags and any repair invoices. Lifts and hoists should have a documented history, and operators should have the training the work calls for. Ask whether any items have been involved in an accident, and how they were handled afterward.

Finally, ask about the dumpster arrangement. Does the company own bins, rent them by the job, or use a hauler? Disposal costs and pickups affect margins, so see how they are priced and who the hauler is. Consider having an independent appraiser or mechanic check the larger pieces. A lender can also tell you how equipment is treated if you finance part of the purchase. Ask how the company would replace a key lift if it failed mid-season, and whether a rental fleet nearby could cover the gap quickly. Check insurance on the equipment as well, including who is covered when a rented unit is on a job site and a worker is hurt.

Key takeaways

• Match the equipment list to what you can see in the yard.
• Check for loans, leases and rentals that do not transfer.
• Ask for service records and operator training proof.