From Hailstorm to Complete Restoration
WHAT, Ice Balls Falling From The Sky?
It’s amazing to see balls of ice falling from the sky, specially when mixed with high winds, this tremendous phenomenon happens on a very specific set of circumstances and it can create massive amounts of damage, as we can now see here in NWA.
I order for this to happen there has to be plenty of humidity in the atmosphere, plus a rapid change of temperatures with one front pushing through.
Many people go through life without seeing a hailstorm much less seeing the damages they leave behind.
In this page we’re going to talk about what to expect when your property gets hit with a Hailstorm of this kind, so that you know How It All Works and can be better prepared for your insurance claim and restoration process.
Deal? deal! 🙂 NOTE: if you have any specific questions feel free to text or fill out our contact form.
During And Right After The Storm
Even though hail damage is undistinguishable, there are discrepancies between damage and no damage all the time, keep in mind that there are three different interests here at play:
- You, the property owner: You want your property to be repaired, but only if it’s truly damaged.
- Insurance adjuster: They are there to represent the insurance’s best interest-($).
- The Contractor: They also have a best interest to serve as well-($).
Although all three points can be debatable let’s just go with that for now.
Always take pictures during the hailstorm and right after, pictures of the hail stones before they melt, and if you have video showing high winds, even better, This will help clear some of the discrepancies that might arise latter in the process.
Inspecting Your Property
You have ONE good chance to include every item damaged in your property, if you miss this chance and items are missing in the adjusters first estimate, although not impossible, and it should be easy to add damaged items latter, it’s usually harder to include them after your first estimate has been completed, accepted, and check mailed out you or electronically paid.
Here is what you can do: Before calling your insurance to make a claim, call your contractor. Make sure he knows about hail damage and restoration so that he can inspect your property and find the hail damage.
Coordinate with your contractor so that he meets with the adjuster for the inspection of your property, having your contractor present will help you ensure all the hailstorm related damages get looked at, at the time of the adjuster’s inspection, and included in the first estimate for full replacement.
Don’t forget what we said earlier; there are different interests here at play, balance between all parties is key.
Deductible
It’s important to understand that even if only part of your roof get covered by your insurance, or if you get full roof replacement, gutters, siding, windows, etc… You will still have to pay the same amount of money as your deductible for your claim, size of the restoration does not matter.
Also, lawfully deductibles have to be paid, that is what you agreed up on signing your insurance policy. This goes the same for us here in the NWA as for anyone anywhere in the nation who has a deductible type policy with any insurance carrier.
Now, a contractor is liable to invoice the correct amount charged to the client, to the insurance company. If numbers don’t match up from what it was charged, and what was invoiced, and if the insurance suspects something fishy. They could sue the contractor, get the contractor under audit in order to disclose numbers, and if found in wrong doing, not only the Contractor can get in trouble, but maybe the property owner as well.
You can always ask your insurance carrier if it’s all good if you don’t pay your deductible? and if they say it’s fine… Get it in writing so that you have proof.
Specialty Trade Contractor vs GC
The importance to work with a general contractor that knows or specializes in Hailstorm Restorations vs Specialty Trade Contractor.
Your adjuster will provide you with an estimate full of items and categories by trades, everything will be broken down; things like your Deductible, Depreciation, Replacement Cost Value, price for removing, replacing, etc…
If you are working with a GC, your Contractor will take the entire estimate and take care of all of trades for you. Subcontracting trades to other contractors requires experience, skill, knowledge, responsibility, care, and more.
Here are some of the things a GC do and is responsible for in your behalf
- Makes sure ALL damages are included in the claim.
- Provides clarity (knowledge & education) to you the client.
- Knows with anticipation what to expect in the process and prepares for it.
- Has skilled people he trust and do great work.
- Pulls permits if needed and follows city regulations.
- Follow building codes.
- Checks and Makes sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing.
- Deals with your insurance; insurance field adjuster/s, desk adjuster/s, insurance manager/s, insurance supervisor/s, etc…
- Advocates on your behalf in every step of the process.
- Invoices your insurance and ensures checks get releases as required.
- Checks with you constantly during the process to ensure alignment, and makes sure you are satisfied with the finish product.
If Considering Doing It Yourself
If you hire a single trade contractor like a roofing contractor, siding contractor, gutter contractor, etc… then you become responsible to pull the whole thing together. Keep in mind that you will have multiple points of connections to manage, things to be aware of, and you will also need time.
Doing this on your own does not necessarily means you will pay less and keep money form the insurance check, at the end your insurance will only pay you for what you invoice them for, insurances don’t usually pay home owners for doing this work themselves.
Reading and understanding this process will get you more ready than most property owners trying to do this on their own.
At the end you choose what’s best for your situation, based on experience. If you do this by yourself, insurance carrier treats you well, and know what you’re doing; you should be good shape.
If all this is too much information, feel free to save this page and come back if you need to, or if you need to digest it in steps. Ask questions if you have to, we don’t mind answering questions; questions help our knowledge!
Understanding Brings Clarity
It’s unfortunate this happened to you, and sadly some material things got destroyed. Here is what we can tell you based on experience; there is a mooring time and time for sadness when there is a loss, then closure happens. If the person affected by the devastation have a positive attitude and clarity, no matter what the devastation was, the recovery is less stressful or even good.
These types of things are things that just happens, and there is not much we can do about it. Tornados, hailstorms, floodings, fires, earthquakes, and all natural disasters are part of this beautiful world in which we live in.
Finding things to be grateful for, helps A LOT.
But also, understanding the process of what needs to happen after, can bring stress levels down, bring calm, and gives you clarity and optionality into what to do next.
If you would like to give Balance Contracting a try on your Hailstorm Restoration Project, you already know how to contact us. Thank you for your time and consideration, we hope to see you soon!