Storm Damage Repair: Tips for Choosing Companies

To Brookdale Plats 1-6 Owners:

It has been 3 weeks since the hail storm that pounded our homes and cars. Unfortunately most of our homes probably suffered enough damage to warrant a new roof. Here are some precautions to consider as you plan repairs:

1) Get bids from local roofing contractors

a) out of town contractors will not be here in the years ahead to guarantee their work in the same way the local guys will be.

b) the out of town folks will be more likely to subcontract the work to local laborers.

2) Be wary of contractors who want to directly deal with your insurance company

a) they don't want to give you a bid, but instead "negotiate" on your behalf with your insurance company

b) if they minimize the repairs delivered to you, and maximize their claims to your insurance, their profits increase.  You will never know the difference.

3) Be wary of "general contractors" who will subcontract all the work

a) their costs have to be covered somehow, so they will hire the cheapest bidders to work for them.

b) hire a roofer to do your roofing, hire a gutter guy to do your gutters, hire a siding guy to do your siding.  You may save money.

4) Don't be in a rush to get repairs completed.

a) Rush the repairs only if you have water coming in

b) you may get better service and better quality work later in the summer or in the fall, after the rush to repairs is past.

c) check references, check with the BBB, before you hire.

Hope this helps some of you. Our apologies for not being able to formulate precautions earlier. Good luck in your search for a good repair team.

Regards,

Dave Mizell

Brookdale Trustees, Plats 1-6