The Post-Storm Roadmap: Why an Inspection is Your Vital Final Step

In Minnesota, we look forward to summer, especially after a long, dreadful winter. However, it’s easy to forget about the summer storms that roll in, leaving behind questionable damage, a fleet of roofing company trucks, and another thing to add to your to-do list.

In this article, we’re breaking down what you should do before, during, and after a hail storm, including:

How to handle people knocking at your door?
When should you call for a free inspection?
Do I contact my insurance company first?

For a quick overview, check out the FAQs here.

If you’re looking for a local Minnesota general contractor to help you after a storm, connect with PEI today to schedule a free hail inspection.

What should you do before a storm?

“The weatherman hypes up these storms,” is the common talk leading up to these “severe weather alerts”, especially as it turns out to be measly rainfall. However, sometimes the reports are correct, and we like to err on the side of caution.

1. Select A General Contractor

If you already have a general contractor in mind, a storm hitting your home is less stressful already. We highly recommend doing a quick search of the contractors near you, selecting the one you trust the most, and saving their number in your phone or writing it down in a home binder. You removed all the guesswork on who can help you out.

2. Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance

In the pre-storm season, it’s not a bad idea to make it a habit to shop for a new homeowner’s insurance, review different policy options, and see who will give you the best rates. Knowing how high your deductible is before entering storm season is great for adjusting your budget. If something does happen, you can feel more confident in affording it.

3. Know Your Home

If your home is already prone to a leaking roof or other chronic issues, it might be a good idea to get a free inspection before a huge storm rolls in. It’s not always necessary to do so, but if you already know there’s a problem, it might be time to address it.

4. Bring Outside Items Inside

In general, it’s good practice to always bring any outside materials that are not tied down or firmly secured inside the garage or home, including lawn chairs, portable fire pits, and plants. If you can, park cars inside your garage.

What should you do during a storm?

Depending on when the storm hits, follow the current weather advisory guidelines, including stepping away from the windows and checking for any leaks. Usually, you should wait after the storm to see what the damage is.

What should you do after a storm?

Here’s where things can get chaotic. Storms cause damage, and they also alert nearly every roofing company in your direction. Social media becomes noisy with ads, and everything is as scary as the original weather reports. If you prepare well, most of this won’t bother you.

1. No Solicitation Sign

Your city may have rules against solicitors coming to your door without a permit. You can also add a no solicitation sign to your front door to ward off the companies. Store bought signs might not be legally binding, but your city may have official signs you can print off directly from their website.

2. Research The Contractor

Everyone is from everywhere, and they aren’t always local. Working with a local company doesn’t automatically suggest you’re working with the right company, but it can be a sign they will be more responsive to you and not immediately leave you behind when the next storm hits.

NOTE: Anyone can get a local phone number within a few minutes of the storm hitting, and they may call to say they are a local company. Make sure to verify their address and company name. If you are wanting to work with a local contractor, research the contractors in your area and work directly with them.

3. Schedule A Free Inspection

We recommend scheduling a free hail inspection with your contractor of choice first before talking with your insurance company. Verify there might be damage, and then you are more prepared to make a decision on whether to file a claim.

Storm Damage FAQs

What Should You Do Before a Storm?

Before a storm, select a trusted general contractor, review your homeowner’s insurance, know your home and its weak points, and bring outside items in.

What Should You Do During a Storm?

During the storm, follow your city and weather guidelines. It’s recommended that you do not try and look for damage while the storm is still active.

What Should You Do After a Storm?

After a storm, if you already are working with a general contractor, ask for a yard sign to be placed in your front yard and/or add a no solicitation sign on your property. If you do not have a general contractor selected, beware of the many contractors who pretend to be local, either by changing their name, suggesting they are a contractor in town, or even changing their phone number to be a local area code. If you specifically are looking to keep your work local, research the contractors in your area and review their websites. The next best thing is to book a free inspection and have a professional review the damage.

Who Do I Call For A Free Hail Inspection?

A general contractor should be able to perform a free hail inspection on your property. You can find a local general contractor by searching online, looking to see if your neighborhood is working with a company, or even checking out your Facebook community page.

Do I Call My Insurance Company First?

We suggest connecting with your contractor of choice first to check out the damage with a free inspection. Knowing what damage you have can help kick off your insurance claim.

Am I Able to Spot Hail Damage Myself?

Sometimes! Depending on how tall your roof is, you might not want to go crawling up a ladder and checking it out. However, you can start seeing the signs by checking out the foliage around your home. Do you see holes in the leaves? Are there any visible dents in your deck? Do you see any dents or holes in the siding?

For a closer examination, connect with your contractor of choice to verify damage.

What if Insurance Denies My Claim?

There can be a lot of reasons your claim was denied. In most cases, your general contractor should be able to offer new avenues to take in order to restore your home, such as completing a free estimate if you were to pay out of pocket, financing options, and best course of action.

My Neighbor Got Approved, but I Got Denied. Why?

Your neighbor might not have the same insurance company as you, same policy, or same damage. If you were to be denied but your neighbor is approved, your general contractor can review your situation again and find the best solution.

How Long Do I Have to File a Hail Claim?

Your timeline is dictated by your insurance company’s policies. It could be between six months to two years. Your insurance company’s time frame determines when your project must be completed to receive the remaining funds. Because of this, we suggest you schedule a free inspection as close to the original storm date as possible to allow your contractor time to work with your insurance company.

Ready For An Inspection?

If you’re in Minnesota, reach out to Professional Exteriors Inc. (PEI) for a free estimate.

PEI is a local general contractor for home interior and exterior restoration, renovation, and repair. Connect with our team today!