Partnering with a Quality General Contractor After Hail Damage
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement questions addressed by calling or texting 651-989-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 8.15.20.
When it comes to hail damage, Minnesota is #7 on a national list of states that get hit the worst. Last year hail damaged an estimated 323,950 homes in the state. The homeowners that have the most long-term success with their insurance restoration claim don’t make knee-jerk reactions. Instead, they take the time to interview reputable industry professionals, rather than sign on with a shady storm chasing contractor that shows up at your door without being called. With the health concerns associated with COVID-19, it’s wise to forego even speaking with this type of individual, should they show up at your door. In the current booming home improvement industry, it’s likely a warning sign that a contractor performs subpar work if they have the ability to immediately take on your project after a storm. Before signing on with a contractor, inquire about their lead times and whether they are guaranteed. Many building materials have been placed on restriction due to factories being shut down due to the pandemic. Larger contractors that are well connected have fewer issues with this than smaller contractors.
Go Behind the Scenes on a Twin Cities Storm Restoration Project:
Most insurance companies allow two years from the date of the damage occurred to allow homeowners ample time to correctly restore their homes. Right after the wind or hail damage has occurred, it’s wise to take photos of all sides of your house, spotlighting damaged areas. This is particularly beneficial if you had taken photos of your home before any damage had occurred. Quality contractors are willing and able to work with you and your insurance company to submit all necessary documentation to ensure you are fairly compensated for the storm damage. Beware of any contractor that offers to provide a way for you to forego paying your insurance deductible, as this is fraud.
Working with a general contractor for your storm restoration project ensures that all damaged areas of your home can be corrected in the correct order. Quality general contractors can also answer questions about popular building products so that you can make an educated decision. For example, gutter toppers and LeafGuard® seamless gutters can sound similar in name, but in actuality, they are substantially different. Mesh covers rarely match the home’s preexisting gutters and do little to prevent clogging. LeafGuard® is the only patented, one-piece system guaranteed to never clog or the installing contractor cleans them free of charge. Even more impressive is the fact that LeafGuard® has earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal of approval.
Reliable roofing contractors can also discuss the differences in popular roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and cedar shakes. While cedar shakes are stunning, they cost substantially more than asphalt shingles and require routine maintenance to ward off mold and mildew. Even more frustrating is that cedar shakes have a shorter lifespan to asphalt shingles. When it’s understood that roofing manufacturer, GAF, offers a 50-year, non-pro-rated warranty on labor and materials, it makes selecting a cedar shake roof an unattractive option. For homeowners craving the roof of cedar shakes, GAF Glenwood® shingles can be a viable selection. Their thick, ultra-dimensional design provides the aesthetics of cedar shakes without the costly maintenance.
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