Storm repairs and saving money
We see it after every large storm. There’s a knock at the door. A roofer who pretends to be from “around here” offers to fix your damaged roof for whatever the insurance company will pay them. Many even promise that you won’t have to pay the deductible (that’s insurance fraud that can put the homeowner in jail).
You agree, because it’s an offer that is just too good to pass up. They do the roof. Then, usually within 3-5 years, the problems start. Lost shingles. Lifting shingles. “Minor” leaks.
The trouble is that they are nowhere to be found. Phone calls go unanswered. No one seems to know how to handle your problem. Or you discover that there really was no guarantee on the work.
This scenario leaves thousands of homeowners having to start over with a new roof after only a few years. The insurance companies have nothing to do with it, because the homeowner chose the roofer.
The final cost ends up being far more than it would have cost to have paid a good roofer to do the job right the first time.
A lot of people are making calls to roofing companies right now due to storm damage. What’s surprising is how many out-of-town roofing companies will be knocking on doors in local neighborhoods over the next week soliciting roof repairs for storm damage they see. Many of these companies are offering roofs at much lower prices than anyone would have guessed was possible.
Here’s the problem: those inexpensive roofs almost always cost the homeowner more than they would have spent getting a really competent roofer to do the job. Sad, but true.
Do yourself a favor. If you have storm damage of any kind to your home, get a competent local contractor to do the work. Make sure it is guaranteed to be done right and not to give you problems.
Storm damage is stressful enough without adding to it with “cheap” repairs that end up costing you more than you planned. Make wise choices, and you will be a lot happier.
