What You Need to Know About Hail and Wind Damage

When hail hits your home, it can feel overwhelming thinking about who to call, who to trust, and what the process is like. Throughout Mid-Missouri, homeowners who are affected by hail and wind damage are forced to answer these questions.

In this article, we provide some tried and true advice every homeowner needs to know before they make a decision on who to hire to restore the exterior of their home. Whether it’s roofing, gutters, siding, or windows damaged by the storm; it is important that the contractor they hire check all the below criteria.

Important Criteria for Repairing Storm Damage

The following criteria provides a solid framework for making decisions about which exterior remodeling company to hire after a storm. While these are not the only factors, they definitely should be followed and can make the difference between a great experience and a horrible one.

1. Hire one contractor to complete roofing, gutters, siding, and windows.

Many Mid-Missouri storms are severe and can damage multiple exterior products. While damage to shingles and gutters is the most common, large hail combined with high wind can crack windows and damage siding. When this occurs, it is important that homeowners select a contractor who can help with all trades. The reason is simple – most insurance companies do not pay very well for smaller repairs and for certain trades.

However, by hiring one contractor to do all the work, that contractor can make a reasonable average profit. But, if the homeowner contracts the roofing portion only, then they may find that it is very difficult to find a contractor to come and just replace gutters, siding, and windows at the price that insurance is willing to pay. This can lead to the homeowner having to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket and above and beyond what their insurance company pays.

2. Ensure the contractor is licensed and insured.

While this may seem obvious to some, there are many new homeowners that can easily be misled by less than honest contractors. No matter who you call or who knocks on your door after a storm, it is vital that you get a copy of their insurance for worker’s compensation and general liability.

Once you have a copy of their insurance declaration you should call the insurance company and verify the policy is still in effect. Many fly-by-night contractors will take out policies, get an insurance declaration they can print out, and then call and cancel the policy. Always call and verify that the contractor’s insurance is active. Likewise, if you live in a larger city, ask the company for a copy of their business license. Only reputable and local contractors will have local licenses.

3. Confirm the contractor is local and that they have local installers.

Many storm-chasing contractors will go from town to town to sell you on their services. They will make it sound as if they are local, but in reality, they set up an office the week before and obtain a local phone number. Worse yet, the installers come behind them and do their roofing and then leave to go to the next town and the next storm. For those roofs that have warranty issues, there is little chance that those out-of-town companies will honor their warranties and fix mistakes. Truly local companies will honor their warranties because they care about their reputation in the community.

4. Contractor provides quality products and can install those products per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Many fly-by-night contractors put on cheap shingles to maximize their profits. Good, local companies who offer 5-year workmanship warranties are going to install quality products because they know that by doing so they will be less likely to have issues. CoMo Premium Exteriors installs quality products such as GAF and Owens Corning because we know that, when installed correctly, there is almost no chance of further issues.

5. Contractors who understand the insurance process.

The process of filing a claim and getting your home repaired can be scary and confusing. When you hire CoMo Premium Exteriors you not only get a team of qualified installers but knowledgeable sales reps who will explain the insurance process honestly and fairly. There are plenty of scammers out there who will twist and distort the insurance process to make you believe you are going to profit from the restoration of your home. But the truth is that insurance companies have a clear and defined process and they pay for what is actually repaired. Homeowners need to be wary of contractors who claim they are going to cover your deductible or help you pocket money from the insurance claim.

Best Hail and Wind Damage Repair in Missouri

If you’ve been affected by severe weather, please call CoMo Premium Exteriors. We provide honest advice and will help you through the process. We never pressure you, and we are realistic with you when it comes to scheduling and what to expect. Don’t get rushed by out-of-town contractors who tell you to “buy now” or else. Quality matters more than speed, and no one provides better quality exterior renovation in Mid-Missouri than CoMo Premium Exteriors. Call us today at (573) 424-9008 or visit us online at comoexteriors.com.