Discovering that you have serious damage to your roof can be stressful. Going through the insurance claim quagmire can require lots of contacts with insurance adjusters, roofing contractors, and in some instances, maybe even your mortgage company.
There are several roof repair insurance claim filing tips that will help minimize the hassle.
Getting roof repairs covered by your insurance company can be a difficult and confusing process. It is best to work with a certified, licensed, and locally experienced roofing contractor.
By doing so, you can make sure your roof damage claim is submitted correctly to your insurance company.
This will also ensure that the roof repair is handled quickly, accurately, and with the least amount of hassle. To make sure you can handle the insurance claim process, Mikku and Sons Roofing recommends you follow these five tips as a guideline.
If you think your roof is damaged, you should call a reputable and licensed roofing contractor immediately. Have them come out and inspect your roof. Even if your roof looks good from the outside, there could be serious internal damage.
You’ll want an experienced roofing specialist to come out and investigate to be sure. Some insurance policies have conditions that tell you how long you can wait after the damage has occurred and still have your roof covered under your policy. After a severe storm, as soon as it’s safe, have your roof inspected.
An experienced roofer will know where to check for damage and should be thorough in documenting the damage and how extensive it might be.
They will take pictures of damaged areas and get you a written explanation of what needs to be fixed and the estimated cost to repair. In some cases, you might have roof damage that isn’t serious enough to justify an insurance claim and in this case, your preferred roofing company can work with you to plan how to handle the repairs.
In more serious cases, you’ll need to get your homeowner’s insurance company involved and will need to provide proof of damage, including measurements, the events that led up to the damage, and dates and times the damage occurred.
It is always a good idea to take pictures of your roof periodically, especially after any maintenance has been done. Make sure the images are clear and well labeled with the date and time.
If possible, take several photos from different angles to show the whole roof and its condition. By doing this, you can make a more convincing argument and you will have visual proof to justify that the damaged areas were not there before the storm and were a direct result of the storm itself.
If you have extensive roof damage, be sure to contact your insurance company right away. If you wait too long, you may not be able to submit the claim.
Always have the latest copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what statute of limitations there are for reporting damage and what types of roof damage are covered. Some homeowner’s policies have clauses detailing the amount of damage that will be covered.
For example, if your roof is over ten years old, your insurance company may only cover a portion of the roof replacement cost, based on the depreciated value of your roof. If there’s ever any question of the precise roofing insurance coverage you have, contact your insurance provider.
When you submit your claim, an adjuster will be sent to inspect the damaged areas and determine what the insurance company will pay out to repair or replace your roof.
If your claim is covered under your homeowner’s policy, you will have a certain amount available to repair the damage.
You can pick the roofing contractor to complete any repairs needed or to replace your entire roof. When selecting a contractor, make sure you ask for references and only use licensed and insured contractors. It’s okay to shop around and get more than one estimate to fix your roof.
By doing this, you can be comfortable that you’re not overpaying, and you’ll have a lot more information to choose a qualified roofing contractor that you think will complete the job correctly. Not every roofing contractor will provide insurance claim assistance.
At Mikku and Sons Roofing, we’re roof replacement specialists who will work with you to make sure your claim is submitted promptly to your insurance company, and that you get the maximum reimbursement for your roof repair issues.
Most roofing contractors will provide a free roof inspection and roof repair estimate. However, keep an eye out for contingency contracts that may be disguised as inspection reports.
By being led to signing one of these contracts you are agreeing to give the job to that roofing company if your insurance claim is approved. Remember, when you’re getting estimates, you should not need to sign anything.
If you are pressured into signing something, it’s probably time to find a more trustworthy roof replacement company.
Checking with the Better Business Bureau and selecting only the roofing companies that have an A or better rating is a good way to parry your list of options to only those roofing professionals that have a reputation for doing quality work.
There are many things to consider when making the decision to do a shingle roof installation on your home. Your property in the interior of your home depends on having a quality roof overhead.
Anytime the roof’s structure is in trouble, you need to take action right away to fix the issue.
This article will discuss 10 steps you can take to ensure your shingle roofing system is up to par for your peace of mind.
Like many home improvement projects, installing a new roof is expensive.
One way you may think you can save money is with a “roof over” or by re-roofing- this entails placing the brand-new shingles immediately over the age-old ones.
While it might seem advisable and allow you to save money in lower disposal and labor expenditures, the problems will probably outweigh the benefits.
Roof overs may actually reduce the life of brand-new shingles due to heat buildup and issues with moisture.
There are also possible problems with the underlying decking that are not seen and restored. Check your shingle warranty to avoid loss of coverage due to an ill-advised roof over.
For a shingle roof installation, contractors will measure your roof and offer you an estimate based on the number of squares of shingles needed. A square is a material needed to cover 100 square feet, so a roof with 20 squares has 2,000 square feet of surface area that needs to be covered.
One element that contributes to the long life of your roof is the right amount of ventilation. Ascertaining your roof system has the necessary ventilation can modulate the attic temperatures in the summer and reduce moisture being developed in winter.
Request your contractor supply you with the kind of venting that is included with the roofing project to make sure your roof lasts through its warranty period.
Part of professional roof repair is not only removing all the old shingles but making any needed repairs to the underlying wood substructure.
Your contractor should address this and allow for these kinds of repairs if needed in your agreement.
Placing brand-new shingles over faulty wood is never advisable and will reduce the life of the brand-new roofing materials.
Shingles should never be affixed directly to raw lumber on the roof. Protective coverings made of felt or other materials offer additional heat and water shields needed to fully protect your dwelling. This is especially important in areas with heavy rains or icy temperatures.
Likewise ensure the contractor includes all the additional substances needed for a proper roof replacement like fasteners, flashing, and drip boundaries are a part of the estimate.
A properly functioning roof system will protect your home and possessions for many years. Be sure you discuss what this assessment consists of and how your contractor will ensure that your brand-new roof is finished to your satisfaction.
Some roofing contractors will provide independent inspections and certifications for your complete peace of mind.
In evaluating the quality of the roofing materials and their installation, the warranty and performance relevant to the wind is a major factor in evaluating which product to purchase.
This is especially important in areas where monsoon storms, microbursts, or other severe weather patterns can cause severe wind damage.
Wind speed warranties can be as low as 60 miles per hour and can cover up to 130 miles per hour. Properly installed, acquiring shingles with higher wind warranties can be the difference between a brand-new roof and complete protection should you experience severe weather.
Is your contractor licensed and bonded? Does your contractor have proper insurance? What warranties do they offer for materials and labor?
Do they secure the proper permits and follow all local, regional codes and regulations? How reliable are they? What work have they performed previously in your geographic area?
One of the most important parts of any residence improvement project is the service you get after the project is complete.
Does your contractor offer a standard warranty? What does that include for products, labor, and parts? For what length of the period does the warranty have?
Is there an extended warranty available? What does that include and for how long? What does it cost? How do you request service calls? Is there a cost for service calls? Will the company be there over the next 10 years if you need them?
The natural inclination is to find the lowest cost. While cost should always be a factor, the most important part of the decision should be appreciable value and your return on investment.
Will the contractor give you a fair estimate and one that handles the cost of quality products and professional installation?
Does the estimate encompass all facets of your roof replacement including ventilation, protective coverings, fasteners, permits, and inspections, flashing as well as removal and dumping of the old roofing substance and delivery of brand-new materials?
Does the estimate encompass all labor, project management, and coordination? Are there allowances for unforeseen expenditures such as repair or replacing the underlying wood structures? Peace of mind, quality substances, and complete project specs are as important and will provide you with a roof that lasts a lifetime.
If you have just acquired a new home in Arizona, you may be wondering what type of roof installation you should choose for your property. While it is possible to simply pick whatever the builder is offering for the lowest add-on fee, you can save yourself a lot of funds and heartbreak in the long run by looking at other options.
In the U.S., asphalt shingles are used on 70 percent of dwellings. They are immensely popular because of their low cost and longevity. Essentially, they can get the job done and last for 20-40 times as long as they’re properly maintained. However, asphalt shingles can be prone to cracking and breaking when faced with extreme heat. By keeping up with the appropriate upkeep, an asphalt roof can be a winning contender.
In the past 15 years, clay and concrete tiles have become the more popular selection for new dwellings in Arizona. When scrutinizing why more new dwellings are choosing these type of roofs, it’s easy to see the reasons in our red-hot summer climate. Clay or concrete tile roofs have a much longer lifespan and its fair to be expected to last between 20 and 30 years. The tiles themselves will last much longer, but the underlayment is necessarily going to need replacement first. Tiles are strategically spaced so the roof can have optimum ventilation, which means it will cool down faster and last longer. They are also fireproof and will not rot.
Tile roofs require a structural engineer’s report to ensure no additional bracing is a requirement, if the homeowner is switching from a shingle roof to tile. How one’s home is made can determine how much weight the roof can handle. Having an engineer’s report helps ensure that the roof won’t be taking on too much weight.
For most homeowners, the costs of roofing is an essential issue. Clay and concrete tiles are often priced higher than asphalt shingles, but price is not ever the only factor. Unless you plan on living in your new residence for the rest of your life, you should consider shopping the price as well. Concrete and clay have the best price in this regard and can increase the appraisal value of your residence. When considering that the tiles can last a half a century with proper upkeep, it is clear why numerous homeowners pick the initial overhead of clay or concrete roofs.
So what type of roof will you choose? Although asphalt shingles have been used for most dwellings, concrete and clay tiles have made a lot of headway in the past decade or so. While present trends of concrete and clay tile roof in Arizona is likely to stay strong for the foreseeable future, make sure you do your homework. Feel comfy with your roof selection prior to beginning to work on the project.
Its hot in Phoenix, which means you need to take a lot of things into consideration when deciding what to do when considering the types of roof installation in Arizona. Your roof installation is one of the critical components of building and maintaining your home. You need to select it with our sometimes harsh weather in mind. Some roof types work better than others in our climate. Understanding the best options for the Arizona climate will help you make the right choice.
Whether you’re installing a new roof installation or repairing an existing one, you should call a professional roofing contractor to get the job done right. A roofing contractor has the experience and knowledge you need to make sure that one of the most critical pieces of your property is installed correctly. If you don’t, you could leave your property vulnerable to leaks and other damage.
Tile roof installation is a great option, and its one of the most durable types of roofing. Its can be made of clay, but there are also lighter weight materials available. The hard clay stands up to harsh conditions, such as extreme heat and our monsoon storms.
Tile roofing lasts longer than other materials and does a good job of protecting your home from water damage. Tile roof installation is also fire resistant, which can be a big bonus, as it can lead to lower homeowner insurance rates.
Finally, tile roofing installation provides great insulation, which can help with your utility bills.
Shingle roof installation is one of the most common types of roofing in Phoenix. One of the big reasons is it is much less expensive than tile roofing. That also means that maintenance and repair costs for shingle roofing are more affordable and easier to complete.
Shingle roof installation is usually made with asphalt or fiberglass, and comes in a wide range of styles and colors. It’s able to fit with just about any architectural design to provide attractive curb appeal for your home. In addition, it has a nice, long life span – as much as 20-25 years on average.
Polyurethane foam roof installation is sprayed on your roof for a strong and seamless cover that won’t leak and provides strong insulation. Foam roof installation is very popular on commercial buildings, but it can also be applied to homes with a variety of roof styles. Foam roof installation is sprayed on then dries solidly. Its a single layer of roofing, eliminating seams, especially around flashing, reducing the chance of water damage. Foam roof installation in Phoenix Arizona is hard enough to withstand damage but flexible enough to shift with the expansion and contraction of the house.
The high insulation rating of foam roofing gives an extra layer of insulation that will help lower your energy bills, in addition to it being inexpensive to install and maintain.
When it comes to first impressions you only get one chance; that is why it’s called the first. Your homes first impression comes from its curb appeal and your roof installation can greatly affect it. This isn’t something most homeowners think about when it comes to home improvements and renovations.
The reality is that curb appeal can truly end up being the deal maker or breaker when it comes to selling your house. Without a doubt, one of your top priorities when it comes to improving your home should be the homes exterior, and your roof installation is an important part of that.
Besides your home’s landscaping, windows, siding, your roof installation is beyond important when it comes to curb appeal. Your home’s roof installation is one of the main aspects of your home seeing that is covers about fifty percent of the home visible surface. The roof installation often goes unnoticed by homeowners as it is not something that requires constant attention. With your home’s roof, often yearly maintenance is enough to keep the roof functioning structurally as well as looking good. Therefore it is often something that is overlooked with the overall curb appeal of your home. The time will come when your home needs a new roof installation to maintain curb appeal and maintain its structure.
An experienced roofing installation contractor is the best source of information when it comes to your new roof installation. Many homeowners are inclined to select a roofing material based on their limited knowledge in roofing, the color of the shingles or even the price. An experienced roofer takes all of this into consideration as well as more important criteria such as durability, climate, weather conditions, and exposure. With this information they find a roofing material that will not only withstand the test of time, add curb appeal but also give you the best value for your new roof. Roofing contractors also have the added advantage of experience with different roofing materials and styles. Roofers have the ability to look at the exterior of the home and recommend products that will enhance the existing exterior.
This is also true of homeowners that are looking into changing the exterior all together as well. There is more to roof installation than choosing between shingles, tile and foam roofing. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles just like tile roofing. Roofing professionals will perform a roof installation that enhances your homes curb appeal using appropriate materials that will stand the test of time taking into consideration natural elements that affect your roofs durability. More Information: Mikku and Sons Roofing offer a variety of roofing services throughout the greater Phoenix area, including roof installation of shingle roofs, tile roofing, flat and foam roofing and roof repairs.
