During the past few months, we have had damaging storms in the Twin Cities. Suppose your home has been affected by the destructive elements. In that case, you already know some of the questions that go through a homeowner’s mind when initially assessing the aftermath of the weather:
- How do you know if the damage done to your home is enough to justify filing an insurance claim?
- When should you call a local roofing or siding contractor to come out for a storm inspection?
- And, how do you know if this contractor is the right contractor for you – not a storm-chasing “door knocker”? (Someone who shows up on your doorstep after a storm to pressure you to make a quick, not always informed decision about your potential repairs or replacements.)
Here at 22nd Century Roofing, we genuinely want to help you in these overwhelming moments. We prefer to assess the damage at a time convenient for you, help educate you about your options, and give you the time needed to do your research – about our company, get a second opinion – whatever it is you need to make the best and most informed decision for you, your home, and your family.
Remember, when filing an insurance claim in the state of Minnesota, you have the right to choose who you work with, so why wouldn’t you choose the best?
So, what should you look for when choosing a roofing or siding contractor?
Do your research and ask questions.
- Check the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s website to ensure the contractor/company is licensed and determine the license(s) they hold. Then, determine whether or not these license(s) fit your project and needs.
- Are they registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State as a business?
- Read through reviews left by previous customers on digital platforms such as Google and Facebook.
- Does the contractor have references? Can you talk to previous customers they have worked with?
- Look through project photos on platforms like Facebook, Houzz, Instagram, and Google.
- Do they have the resources to handle insurance claims? Ask.
- This includes an insurance handler on their team – someone who is experienced in handling claims and making sure they are properly paid for.
- They should use Xactimate – a software that determines fair market prices for contractors.
- Do they enforce a deductible? The answer should always be yes.
- MN statute 325E.66 prohibits residential building contractors from advertising or promising to pay or rebate, directly or indirectly, all or part of any insurance deductible or from offering to compensate a customer for providing any service.
What should you look out for?
- First and foremost, you can easily find red flags by doing the research and asking the questions above.
- They aren’t licensed or registered as a business.
- They don’t have any or have negative reviews.
- They don’t have any pictures of projects or the images they do have don’t look like they did a good job.
- They don’t have any references.
- They don’t have someone to handle insurance claims specifically.
- Other Red Flags:
- You feel pressured into making an uninformed decision.
- They have offered to waive your deductible. (You are required to pay your deductible.)
- They drive unmarked vehicles and/or have no company representation.
- They are unorganized, unprofessional, or don’t seem to have an organized process for setting up appointments and/or communicating with you and their team.
- Often, being unorganized and not having a process for these simple tasks allows for essential details to be missed or not passed along correctly to the necessary team members and installers.
If you live in the Twin Cities and a recent storm has damaged your home, we’d be happy to come out to provide a complimentary storm inspection. Text, email, or call us to set up an appointment.
