March 25 – 29 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska. The Rooferees have a few reminders about storm season.

Thunderstorms are the biggest weather threat in the Midwest. A severe thunderstorm can produce quarter-sized or larger hail with wind gusts of 60 mph or more. Severe storms with hail and strong winds can cause severe damage to homes and buildings – broken and missing roof shingles, or dents and holes in siding and gutters are common when a severe storm rolls through.

When a storm damages property, homeowners are faced with filing insurance claims, gathering estimates, and begin the restoration process. But, the Roofereeas caution you to be aware of stormchasers if you have storm damage. When storms hit an area, the storm chasers are never far behind.

Stormchasers chase storms, showing up usually from out-of-town to an area that has been recently hit with a severe storm. They perform bare minimum work, often using cheaper materials, and ignore other potential problems. They attempt to finish as many jobs as they can before moving on to the next town. This can lead to problems down the road because the roof typically won’t last as long as it should and they’re not a local company.

If your home or building in damaged in a severe storm this Spring, keep these reminders from the Rooferees in mind:

• Do your research. Ask for a license and insurance, and make sure the company is an established, local company with an office in town.
• Be leery of a door-to-door salesman. They canvas a neighborhood recently hit by a storm. They typically offer a free inspection and may fabricate damage or produce a picture of damage that isn’t on your property.
• Don’t be pressured by a high-pressure salesman. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some contractors will bid the job much lower than everyone else, only to add more costs after the job has started. Material costs should never rise after the job has started.
• Don’t sign any paperwork with a contractor before your insurance adjustor has inspected the damage first.
• Always ask for an estimate that includes the total cost of labor and materials. If a contractor doesn’t want to give you an estimate before the insurance adjustor assesses the damage, they are likely trying to scam you.

A reputable, local company should not expect any payment before materials have been delivered and work has begun on your project. Choose a local company with a solid reputation and avoid stormchasers!

Learn more about staying safe this storm season from the National Weather Service.

Stay safe this storm season and Make The Right Call to the Rooferees from Weatherguard when you have storm damage.