by spencerturnkey | Mar 27, 2019 | Gutters, Ice Dam, Roofing, Storm Damage
In the spring time, Minneapolis home owners are often hit by storms and have to file storm damage claims with their insurance company.
As homeowners in the Minneapolis area, we are vulnerable to mother nature every day. When misfortune lands at our doorstep or, in this case, our rooftop, we can be thankful for insurance coverage and the availability of roofing insurance claims for storm damage. When purchasing insurance, it is always advisable to check with your insurance agent about your policy’s coverage as it relates to roofing insurance claims storm damage.
If you live in an area where storms, especially those known to create a lot of damage, occur frequently, ask your agent to explain exactly what is covered in the event of a loss. For instance, in Minnesota we are known for tornadoes, hail and flooding. These are all factors that could cause major damage and the policy regarding roofing insurance claims for storm damage needs to be clearly defined. At times, there are reports of individuals who suffer extensive storm damage to their home only to learn that their policy did not cover roofing insurance claims for storm damage. There is no doubt that storm damage can cause a lot of problems with your roof in particular, so it’s extremely important to make sure your insurance policy covers any problems that may arise in the event that the unexpected should occur.
When you think about it, our roof is the only thing that protects us from rain, snow, sleet or, in the worst case, a natural disaster. It is expected that, at some point, our roof will be in need of repair. Our roof is essential to a home because, without it, we would be left out in the rain – literally.
If your roof is damaged during a storm, the first thing to do is contact your insurance agent. You will need to ask about their policy regarding the filing of roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Your agent will then advise you in proper procedures and deadlines. Explain to your agent, in detail, exactly what damage was caused and the date of the occurrence. If your roof is leaking, it will need to be repaired or replaced immediately to avoid further damage to the interior of your home. It’s important to inform your agent of any repairs that need to be made without delay. This information is crucial in the processing of roofing insurance claims for storm damage.
After the initial contact with your insurance agent, you should receive a letter or telephone call from their department, which handles roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Following that, an adjuster will likely contact you. In most instances, the adjuster will want to see the damage, take photographs of the loss and will provide the insurance company with an estimate on the cost of repair or replacement. It is not advisable to sign a contract or make any agreements until your hear from your insurance agent. The adjuster may, however, provide you with an estimate on the cost to repair any damage that your roof has sustained during a storm.
Once you receive an estimate from your insurance company, you may begin the process of contracting the work out to a professional. If you choose to hire a professional, ask them to provide you with a projected cost once they have reviewed the damage. During your initial conversation, explain that the funds will come from your insurance company’s claims department, which handles the payment of roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Provide the projected cost information to your insurance company for processing. Depending on the company’s policy, the funds may be paid upfront or after the job is complete. If the money is held until completion, have an invoice sent to the insurance agent for final payment.
At Turnkey Restoration, we understand that going though this process can feel a bit overwhelming – we specialize in helping individuals through the insurance process – and we can help you to.
by spencerturnkey | Mar 27, 2019 | Gutters, Roofing, Siding, Windows
Ready for some ideas for Green Remodeling in Minneapolis?
Think GREEN when remodeling! Here are some tips to help you when thinking of doing some home remodeling and staying green! There are numerous options that people have when they decide to improve the state of their homes. It is not so much about going large, but making it better. The main theme here is quality over quantity. Some of the tips that you can follow when you want to try out when you are ready to do some remodeling in your Minneapolis home AND staying green.
1. Re- evaluate the amount of space that you want to work with
For most homeowners, remodeling in Minneapolis has a lot to do with creating an addition to the house. However, you can also decide to work with the existing space you have without necessarily adding any other rooms. Ask yourself how the existing space can be transformed into something that you would love to live in. This is vital as it can save you a lot of money and other resources and still end up with incredible results.
2. Get an energy audit
A good next step is to identify a number of cost effective ways that can be used to make the house more sustainable. This can also help you identify the things that will be incorporated in the remodeling process. It is important to note that about 20% of the carbon emissions usually come from the home. In addition to saving loads of money though the energy audit, you will also benefit from sustainable home emissions. This will definitely reduce carbon pint as well as make the house easier to maintain.
3. Focus on quality rather than quantity
You will feel more at home when you get into a room that portrays character and quality. Another good reason to think green when remodeling your Minneapolis home. Strive to create a room that exudes comfort and immerse beauty. Instead of splashing money on things that you will not even need, work within your budget to come up with quality items that will address personal aesthetics and needs.
4. Manipulate lighting to achieve perspective
The way light is used in any space can make or break it. This is why light has to be one of the major concerns as you move through your project. The way light is introduced to a certain room can improve its character and quality tremendously. Use reflective surfaces to aid in bouncing of light around which will augment beautifully the natural light that is found in that particular space. For instance, a built in book shelf can be placed near a window. The shelve edges can act as reflective surfaces that will be used to bounce extra natural light into the living space. Windows can also be places adjacent to perpendicular spaces.
by spencerturnkey | Mar 27, 2019 | Gutters, Roofing, Siding, Storm Damage, Windows
When Hail Damage hits in Maple Grove and surrounding areas, you will come across many “canvassers” helping you in assessing the damage. Although these people are helpful, it is a bit overwhelming to identify who will be the best company for the job. Below is a list of questions you can use to assess whether or not the company is a good fit for you.
Experience – it is important to know how long the commercial remodeling professionals have been in the industry to know if they are the right one for the job. You can also ask for samples of work they have done before to know the kind of job that they do.
Expertise – it is important to know the areas of expertise that the commercial remodeling contractors work on. This way you will be able to know if you need to bring in other professionals for the job or whether they can handle the task at hand without any problem.
Licensing – when you have just been hit with hail damage, be sure to ask the contractors for their license. Ask them to bring along a copy of their license so as to be sure that they are legit. This is one step that will ensure that the project will go smoothly.
Insurance – working with commercial remodeling contractors that don’t have insurance is taking a huge risk that could land you into a lot of trouble. Ask them about the kind of coverage they have and also ask to see the relevant documents so that you can be on the safe side if anything was to happen on the site.
Equipment – is there any special equipment needed to address hail damage – this is a good thing to ask your contractor and ensure that they are well equipped to handle the job without any complications. This is important and it can also help to reduce costs as the company might include that would increase the budget.
Contracts – always as the commercial remodeling whether they provide contract before work begins. This gives you an assurance of high quality services because you will have a written document that you can refer to in case there are any problems in the future.
Costs – remember to inquire about how much the entire project will cost you. Also – inquire about payment plans to find out if they work for your budget.
Time frame – the commercial remodeling contractors need to let you know the time frame when they will be done with the job. This is extremely important especially if you need to move out of the building for the job to be done so that you can make the necessary arrangements.
Professional agencies – it is also important to ask whether or not the contractors belong to any professional agencies. One of the most important is the BBB (Better Business Bureau) which will help you learn a lot of information about the company.
Personnel – when interviewing commercial remodeling contractors, you need to ask the number of people who will be working on your site to be in the loop of what is going on.
We hope you found this helpful. If you are in the Minneapolis, MN or Maple Grove, MN area and have gotten hit with hail damage – be sure to contact us for a free inspection.
