Hail has hammered your roof. Whether you know your roof has suffered hail damage or not, it’s important to get it inspected by a certified roofing contractor to assess the potential damage done to your home or business.
There will be plenty of options for the job, but making sure you ask the right questions can go a long way in giving you peace of mind that the job will be done the right way, and hold up for a long time. There are plenty of pitfalls when choosing a roofing contractor, because there are some bad actors out there trying to turn a quick buck off something as important as the roof to your home.
There are a number of things to look for, and even ask, a potential roofing contractor. First and foremost, it’s important to work with locally owned, insured and accredited companies. That way, if there is an issue or if you have questions after the work is finished, you can pick up the phone and find them.
Also find out about their warranty and/or workmanship coverage. If they’re not willing to stand behind their work with even the most limited of warranties – or if they won’t take the time to fully explain their warranty – they’re probably not worth your time.
You have a year from the hail storm to file the claim, and two years to perform the work to get the roof replaced or repaired. And that can be a double-edged sword. Don’t put off getting it looked at for too long, or you might not be able to get it fixed in time – depending on how busy your chosen roofing expert is. However, it’s also important not to just write a check to the first fella that knocks on your door, just because he has a truck and a ladder.
Make sure the inspection that is done is a complete inspection of the entire roof. The whole system must be looked at, from the attic and chimney to the flashings and deck – as well as anything else penetrating from the roof. After the thorough inspection, make sure to ask for a detailed scope of work they expect to perform. That will provide education and expectations on what’s coming up, and what the next steps should be.
Building codes vary and change from structure to structure, and even neighborhood to neighborhood, so it’s important to make sure everything is getting followed correctly. Not only is a roof that’s not up to code unsafe, but it means you’ll be paying twice for that new roof – first when it’s done the wrong way, and again to fix the problem the right way. Everybody wants problems solved the right way the first time. Something as important as the roof over your head shouldn’t be any different.
Roof repair and replacement is an expensive undertaking, and once insurance companies get involved, it can get overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Any reputable roofer will have answers at the ready, not excuses. This is your home we’re protecting, after all.
Find out more about what to expect from your roofing contractor, and understand why it’s important to work with a contractor that specializes in the process – all the way from helping deal with the insurance companies to making sure you’re satisfied long after the last nail has been struck. For more information, contact Synergy Property Solutions today.