Every Alabama resident knows the state can get hit by severe weather throughout the year. From afternoon thunderstorms to intense tropical storms, homes all across Baldwin County and beyond witness damaging weather regularly. Sooner or later, your roof will suffer damage and you’ll need to seek out contractors for roof repair in Daphne, AL. But, how exactly does the roof repair process get started?
Do you know the individual steps of a typical roof repair project? What will you need to do as a homeowner? And exactly how long will the repair process last?
At Ethos, we are committed as a company to providing free education to homeowners just like you. That’s why we developed this simple, yet highly detailed checklist to make your roof repair project easier, seamless, and stress-free.
Your 5-Step Checklist To Roof Repair In Daphne, AL
If you’ve never had your roof repaired before, we know it might initially sound complicated, arduous, and exhausting. But the truth is that roof repairs aren’t as complicated as you might think! With our handy checklist in your back pocket, you’ll be able to get your roof fully repaired and restored in no time.
Step 1: Inspect Your Property For Damage
First things first: You need to verify whether or not your roof actually needs repairs. A roofing contractor will be able to properly evaluate the current condition of your roof. Of course, you can check on your roof yourself, just remember to prioritize your personal safety at all times and follow these key roofing safety tips from HealthSafety.com.
However, it’s always wiser to just let the professionals handle your roof inspection. Reputable roofing contractors will typically offer FREE no-obligation roofing inspections, so you won’t need to pay or sign a contract to properly evaluate the condition of your roof.
During their property inspection, your roofing contractor will lookout for common signs of roof damage, including:
- Shingles that are dented, warped, broken, loose, or missing
- Shingle granules accumulating in your gutter systems
- Shingles that are missing their granules
- Dented, warped, or loose flashing
- Interior water stains
- Beams of light within your attic space
- Deteriorating insulation
- And more
After the inspection, your roofing contractor will discuss their findings with you in-depth. They’ll outline all the areas where they found damage and provide documentation for you. They may also provide recommendations for the next steps of your repairs and provide you with an estimate for those repairs.
However, it’s important that you don’t rush through your decision process and hire the wrong roofer. Simply take the estimate when they provide it and move onto the next step.
Step 2: Compare And Vet Roofers In Daphne, AL
As we mentioned earlier, FREE roofing inspections do not come with an obligation to hire that roofer. In fact, it’s a wise idea to take your time and gather multiple estimates from a handful of local roofing companies. This way you can shop around for more affordable project estimates, and look for roofers that may offer superior customer service, higher-quality roofing materials, or even better craftsmanship. That means you’ll need to do some research though.
Vetting roofers in Daphne, AL can be easy and simple when you know what to do. First, gather some referrals from your friends and family. Then read through client reviews and customer testimonials to compare those local roofers.
Just remember to be on the lookout for common red flags of roofing scams. As the Federal Trade Commission notes, you might’ve stumbled across a roofing scam if:
- The price estimates are too good to be true
- The roofer pressures you for an immediate decision following your inspection
- You notice inconsistencies in their online business directory listings
- The roofing contractor only accepts cash or asks for payment upfront
- The roofer lacks insurance and asks you to get the required building permits
If you notice one or two of these red flags, steer clear of that roofing contractor. Believe us: you don’t want to be the victim of a roofing scam. Take the time to compare your options and thoroughly research each one. Once you’ve decided on a roofing contractor and they’ve inspected your property, move onto the next step.
Step 3: Submit Your Insurance Claim ASAP (If Possible)
Your homeowner’s insurance policy is there to protect you and your property from financial hardships. You may be eligible to file a claim on your roof damage. However, your policy won’t cover all kinds of roofing damage. In fact, most homeowners insurance policies will only cover home repairs for covered perils such as fires, hurricanes, hail, lightning, and other disasters (Insurance Information Institute).
If your roofing contractor determines that your roof was damaged by a recent storm, then your insurer will likely cover the repair costs. However, if your roof damage is the result of general wear and tear, your claim will likely not be approved.
Ask your roofer at the end of their inspection if your roof damage came from a recent storm. If they say “yes,” you should gather as much documentation as possible and file your claim ASAP. The longer you put off your insurance claim, the harder it will be to get your roof repairs covered by your insurance provider.
Step 3A: Schedule An Inspection With Your Insurance Adjuster
Once you notify your insurance provider of the damage and file a claim, an insurance adjuster will then be sent to your property to verify the accuracy of your claim. We highly recommend that you have your roofer present during your adjuster’s inspection. This way, you’ll have a roofing expert on your side to advocate for your claim and voice concerns that you may have with the adjuster’s findings.
Your contractor and the adjuster may disagree on the total extent of the damage. If that happens, you’ll want to push your claim through to appraisal.
Step 4: Review The Details Of Your Repairs
Before any repairs can commence, you’ll need to review the details of your contract and confirm them with your roofing professional. If you sign the contract without reviewing it, your expectations may not be aligned with your contractor’s plan, so make sure you take the time to review key details, including:
- The timeline of your repair project
- The total extent of your repairs
- The roofing materials to be used during your repairs
- Any roofing upgrades you wish to have installed
- And any contingency plans for bad weather or project delays
Your roof repair in Daphne, AL is a big commitment and a decision that you should not take lightly. If needed, you may want to consider taking take a day or two to contemplate the contract before signing it.
Step 5: Relax And Watch The Repairs Begin
Congratulations! This is the final step of your roof repair project. At this point, you have nothing left to do on your end (aside from the payment at the end). For now, you can kick back, relax, and trust that your roofers will deliver high-quality repairs quickly and professionally.
As the repairs wrap up, you only have one thing left to do: pay the contractor. Even if you filed a claim and it gets approved, you’ll still need to pay your contractor at the end of the project. Your insurer will then reimburse you for the repairs.
Most reputable roofing companies will offer a few different payment options. These may include installment plans, taking out a line of credit, and other options. Make sure you’ve selected the payment option that works best for you.
Get Started On Your Roof Repair In Daphne, AL
If you’re looking for roofing contractors in Daphne, AL, you’ve already come to the right place. At Ethos Roofing & Restoration, we are highly experienced experts in roof repairs, restorations, and replacements. We work diligently to deliver exceptional craftsmanship with every project and we strive to achieve high-quality customer service at every turn.
Contact Ethos Roofing & Restoration today to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and get started on your roof repair in Daphne, AL.