With storm season here, it’s always good to have a plan of attack if you should sustain property damage, which can include damage to your roof, gutters, siding, and other elements of your home. A little prep work can a long way to easing anxiety in what can be a stressful process.
So, in the spirit of preparation, we’ve put together some handy tips to help create your Storm Readiness Plan!
Know Your Homeowner's Policy
Few people truly understand what's in their homeowner's policy, except for monthly premiums and deductibles. There are other factors to consider. Is it an RCV or ACV policy? The type of policy can have a significant impact on your storm restoration costs.
Schedule a time to talk with your insurance agent to better understand what your potential financial obligations may be before you need to call on them.
It will also allow you to understand how much money you need to put aside in the event you need to fix property and roof damage right away.
Get To Know A Contractor Before You Need One
This is so critical! One of the most stressful aspects of dealing with post-storm damage is dealing with contractors who inevitably descend on your neighborhood like locusts immediately after a storm blows through.
Wouldn't it be nice to simply pick up the phone and call on a trusted source you're already vetted to simply start the process?
No need to entertain the plethora of sales pitches, promises, and - let's face it - in some cases, scams from contractors simply looking for “the next deal."
Why not investigate, vet, and research who you think can do the best job, should you need repairs?
Here are some tips to help you with the vetting process:
1. Ensure they’re local! If problems do arise (they happen) you know that the contractor isn't going anywhere (like back to their 'home' state) once the project is finished.
2. Ensure they are certified by a major roofing manufacturer such as GAF. This means they are in the business of installing complete roof systems backed by premium warranties.
3. Check references, reviews, and certifications. Go online and check Google reviews. Ask for references from past customers and call them! And in the case of certifications, ensure they are current. Hint: A contractor that balks at any of the above is a red flag!
In summary, build the contractor relationship before you need to call on their services. It will dramatically reduce your stress and anxiety when dealing with your storm restoration needs.
Understand The Roofing Process
To help alleviate the stress associated with a big home restoration project such as a full roof replacement, understand what to expect from the process before you ever need it. Doing this pre-work will help you big time.
1. Understand how the insurance process works. Know who to call and when to call them. Get to know what's in your policy and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
2. Find out what you can expect from tear-off to receiving the warranty for your new roof, and all points in between. Remember our earlier tip, about developing a relationship with a contractor before you need them? Ask them to walk you through the process.
Hint: if they don't want to spend the time helping you with this - find another contractor.
3. Familiarize yourself with different shingle types and colors so that if the time comes, you can decide what roofing system makes sense, allowing you to begin the process quickly. GAF's Virtual Home Remodeler is a good start.
Put Together a "To-Do" Checklist
After finding and vetting your contractor and understanding what might lie ahead should you need restoration work completed, you should make a simple checklist of key tasks to accomplish if and when you need it.
Include key contacts in your list, such as your insurance agent, and contractor as well as important steps to take. It will prove an immeasurable help in navigating the normally stressful restoration process.
A Final Thought
Don’t get caught by surprise. Create a Storm Readiness Plan today to ensure you have all your ducks in a row, it will immeasurably reduce the headaches and stress associated with your storm restoration project.
About Brand New Roofing
Brand New Roofing is a GAF Certified full-service residential and multi-family roofing, gutter, siding, and storm restoration company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our goal is to protect and restore properties as well as support the communities we serve!
Request your consultation or inspection at: bnrtulsa.com
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