Your home has suffered storm damage. You want to make sure that your home is restored to its former self as quickly as possible but you also do not want to hire the wrong contractor. You will risk living with sloppy repair work or problems that get missed. You need to figure out where to start and what you need to look for when picking the right contractor to avoid future issues.
Evaluate your contractor by using these 10 checklist items to ensure you make the right choice.
Understanding Urgency
Your home needs to be assessed as soon as possible after storm damage occurs. You need to determine whether some immediate steps like temporary repairs should be taken to avoid further damage in the short term, as well as have an understanding of what you need to do in the long term.
A good storm damage contractor will understand that this is an emergency for you. They will understand that you are in a high stress situation and may not know the full extent of the damage or even what next steps you need to take. They should respond in a calm, professional manner and put you at ease.
Thisoldhouse.com has 8 Tips for Hiring a Contractor for even more advice on making this important decision.
Making You a Priority
A perfect contractor who cannot come out to your house for a week is not the perfect contractor in a storm damage situation. A contractor with experience will understand that they need to send someone as soon as possible and that long delays may mean more expensive repairs for you.
Detailed Damage Assessment
You may be able to provide a fairly comprehensive list of damages if you have daylight and your home is safe to stay in or return to after the storm has passed. Whether you feel like your list is comprehensive or have not even been able to make one, you will need a professional to assess the damage to make sure that you have not missed anything.
An experienced professional will look for things like holes in screens, hail spots on decks, and even damage to other items like patio furniture or grills that may be able to be included in your claim.
The Right Skill Set
The company you choose needs to be able to complete all of the restoration work on your home. This often goes beyond s fixing or replacing your roof, siding, or windows. You might need remedial interior work as well, like wall or ceiling repair or even a fresh coat of paint. You do not want to deal with multiple contractors and timelines for additional work.
Bobvilla.com offers a How To: Make Your Home Storm Resistant with ideas you can incorporate as you restore your home to keep it more resistant to damage in the future.
Highly Recommended
A good storm damage contractor will have a good reputation in the community. They should have ratings and testimonials that reference their storm mitigation and damage repair services. This will provide you with the reassurance you need to let them fix your house after a storm. Dynasty reviews can be found on our Google Business Profile and at the BBB website
Experience Working with Insurance Companies
Look for references to experience working with insurance adjustors. This is key to picking the right contractor. It will also take a huge burden out of your hands. An experienced contractor can work with your insurance company to make sure you get the proper settlement to complete the work on your home.
You can complete this checklist by choosing Dynasty Restoration as your contractor after a storm hits. We offer comprehensive storm damage services. Call (402) 932-6419 or complete our online request form for a free consultation and estimate.
