This article relates to storm damaged roofs specifically, however it has relevancy with almost any incident you have filed an insurance claim on.  Wind, water and fire damage claims all have similar issues to storm/hail damaged roof claims.  As roof claims are the most common, we will use them as our example.

Our knowledge of this subject comes from years of working with homeowners and insurance companies to repair storm & water damaged properties throughout our region.  A question we frequently hear is; “Do I have to replace my roof?”

The short answer is NO, BUT.

To the untrained eye, a hail damaged roof looks just like any other roof, so you may take a look and say why bother.  However with exposure to the elements and time, hail damage can create greater problems.  Loose shingles, damaged vents, blistering shingles and other damages can lead to leaks or a roofing system failure. 

Waiting too long to conduct the repairs may forfeit your ability to make any further reimbursement requests from your insurance company when you realize they are needed.  This may create a scenario where your actual out-of-pocket costs could be greater than your policy’s deductible.

Delays may also make your home susceptible to other damages which you may be limited or prohibited from seeking further claim funds from your insurance company.  Such as water damage to roof decking, walls or the rafters.

Your insurance company cannot force you to repair your roof so they use other tools to encourage you to have the work done.  The most common tool at their disposal is the depreciation withholding.  This is where they hold back a portion of your claim until you document the work is completed.  They also place time limits on when you can file for the depreciation or supplemental fund requests.  As they cannot force you to fix the damage, they do want you to be responsible for the consequences of not moving forward on the repairs.

When You Sell

When you sell your home, you have a legal obligation to disclose any items you have knowledge of that need repair.  If you file insurance for a roof replacement and do not replace your roof, you will have to disclose this when you sell your home.  Buyers may request you repair the roof or lower your sale’s price so they can have it repaired.  Either way it could cost more than the insurance proceeds you received.

Another point to remember is your buyer may have challenges getting homeowner insurance or will have restrictions placed on their policy if unrepaired storm damage is found on the home.  This may result in them requesting a repair, a price adjustment or delays in the closing date.

Future Claims

If your home is damaged by hail and you decide not to complete the repairs and another storm hits, you may have a new problem.  Your insurance company may want to see proof you completed the previous work before they settle any current claims.  They may also determine that some of the damage you are claiming from the current storm was actually damage from a previous event and not offer any insurance proceeds for those items.

Either way you could be left short of having the funds needed to repair your home when it is needed.

Insurance Is To Help Make It Right

Your policy is there to help you repair your home.  Any perceived gain you may envision from not conducting the repairs will seldom serve you well in the long-term.

Work with a trusted contractor and he or she can explain the process, offer you value solutions and help get your property back into  “>tip top shape.  A well cared for and properly repaired property offers you value for the long-term.

Competitive Bids

One last note, it is often ingrained in us that we need to get competitive bids on all home improvements.  I will save my quality over price post for another time.  However, selecting the “cheapest” roofer seldom serves you well in storm repairs.  Your deductible is a constant so if you find a roofer who will work cheap, there is little benefit to your family.  It only saves the insurance company some money.  I seriously doubt it will save you any headaches. 

Remember your insurance company does NOT warrant the repairs, they only pay for you to get the work done.  You are the one who will have to chase down the bargain roofing company if you have a leak or they leave a mess after the fact.

Choose a trusted local contractor to do your repairs.  He will work with your insurance company to find a fair price and provide you the warranty care you deserve.  Local contractors that you know where to find and have a prominent role in the community have more to risk than a storm chaser with a sign on his truck.

Other Options

Ask your roofing contractor/builder about Class IV, Impact Resistant Shingles.  These are designed to be hail resistant so you may avoid replacing your roof from hail damage in the future.  They also offer insurance discounts which you can enjoy every year even if there is not a hail storm.

Questions

If you have an insurance claim but are not sure of your options, please feel free to email your questions to our offices or call your insurance agent and ask them to explain your options.  Make an informed decision before making one that could cost you big money when you least expect it.

If you have a question on how to repair your home, please feel free to email your questions to our offices.  Garabedian Properties is a full service building firm serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  We offer new luxury homes, premium remodels, green building/remodeling, home care services, storm/roof repairs and commercial building contracting.

Please feel free to leave your comments, drop us an email at mike@garabedianproperties.com or call our office at 817-748-2669. I also encourage you to visit http://www.garabedianproperties.com to see movies on our homes, hundreds of pictures and information on how we can be of service to your family or clients.  Or become a fan on Facebook.

If your family is not quite ready for us at this time, we will be at your service when you are in need or wish to request our assistance.  If you know a family or client who may be in need of our services, we welcome and honor your referrals.

Many times you hear home buyers observe that “it is a quality home because it has granite counters and crown molding”.  I also have heard “he is a quality builder because he builds million dollar homes”.

 All I can say to that is BULL HONKEY.

 Often when home buyers describe the quality of a home, they are describing the features and amenities.  We refer to these elements as “eye candy”.  Sweet stuff that gives you short term satisfaction, won’t fill you up and gives you an upset stomach when the reality sets in.

 Amenities and features are important elements in a home, but please don’t confuse them with quality.  Cramming all the amenities in the world into a home does not mean it was put together well. 

 Building the largest home on the block does not mean the builder understands how to build a home (construction science).  I could make a living taking buyers on tours of “million dollar homes” that were designed and built by individuals who know as much about building homes as I do about cold fusion. 

 Hint, I don’t know much, hence I am a home builder and not blowing up nuclear bombs (probably a good thing).  Yes, I know cold fusion and nuclear bombs are not one in the same, kind of proves my point.

 Quality is not what you do but how you do it.  Quality is the “meat and potatoes” of a home.  When you have a well built (quality) home, you have a sense of satisfaction that often comes after a big steak meal.  No sugar rush but a sturdy well built home that performs well and justifies the price you paid for it.

 Examples;

 Granite counters which are currently found in many homes; however their installation, seam location, matching slab colors and aligning them on the cabinets can vary greatly.  It would come as no surprise that the cheapest (lowest skilled) installers usually do the poorest installation job.

 Wood flooring are in high demand, however, upon closer examination you will discover not all floors are the same.  Some are made up almost entirely of 2’ or 3’ long boards.  We call these leftovers.  The end result is a wood floor that looks choppy and pieced together.  The better (quality) installations use longer pieces and blend them so the end seams are not all together.

 The best carpenters miter, glue and sand their splices (were two moldings come together).  They also work to minimize splices or place them in inconspicuous areas.  This takes time and forethought, not just throwing the molding up on the wall.  As you suspect, these carpenters cost a bit more and take a bit more time. 

 When you see this attention to detail in the visible elements of a home, you can have greater confidence the builder showed that same level of detail in the parts you can’t see, such as the wiring, foundation, framing, duct work, plumbing, etc…

  “Quality is not what you do but how you do it”.  So please, before you become enamored with the eye candy of granite, crown moldings and rubbed bronze faucets, look deeper into the home.  Just as with real candy, any short term sugar rush you receive will wear off but the issues the eye candy was hiding can give you an upset stomach.

Please feel free to leave your comments, drop us an email at mike@garabedianproperties.com or call our office at 817-748-2669. I also encourage you to visit http://www.garabedianproperties.com to see movies on our homes, hundreds of pictures and information on how we can be of service to your family or clients.  Or become a fan on Facebook.

If your family is not quite ready for us at this time, we will be at your service when you are in need or wish to request our assistance.  If you know a family or client who may be in need of our services, we welcome and honor your referrals.