Many people are rightly grateful to have a roof over their heads. But will it always stay there? While dramatic storms were often considered a disaster that only occurred in the US, we've also had our share of heavy rainfall and strong winds across the pond. Many of these incidents cause a great deal of roof damage to property, leaving homeowners in a challenging situation.
Feeling overwhelmed in these circumstances is understandable. That's why we've compiled a quick list of things you can do in response to roof damage. Read it below.
Snap Evidence
Your first instinct might be to repair your damaged roof. Ignore that compulsion at first. Instead, document evidence of the damage so that you have proof for your insurance claims. Roofing contractors can also use this evidence to better understand what they're working with pre-arrival.
Whether you take photographic or video evidence, ensure it's on a high-quality camera to make the image or footage as clear as possible.
Once you've collected the evidence, you can present it to your insurance company. We won't detail what to expect there, as they'll all have their processes, and they'll guide you through them accordingly.
Ignore Cold Callers
While it might seem obvious not to accept the help of cold callers, it's worth being reminded anyway. If these lowlifes do show up, you're urged to turn them away immediately and call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for guidance.
Roof damage is pretty obvious. For scammers, the damaged roof will be a beacon they are drawn to. Don't permit them access to your property. You can find trusted local help another way.
Hire Your Help
Once your insurance claims are underway, you can look into roofing contractors. There's a lot to choose from, and picking just one isn't easy if you do not know where to search. Online platforms like MyBuilder can help you find fully qualified, vetted, and well-reviewed local roofers by past clients. Post your job to get free quotes from the experts in your area. You can choose which tradespeople you'd like to make contact with and browse much of their work history before you do.
Obviously, roof damage is an emergency. If it's left, then you may experience water damage from rain and bitter chills in winter. Depending on the nature of the damage, it may be unsafe to be around or under the roof at all. So, roof damage is an emergency requiring a quick response instead of endlessly searching for roofers near you on search engines.
Retain Contractor Documents
Some people treat roof repairs as a quick fix they barely need to think about. However, it's worth keeping the long-term consequences of these decisions in mind.
For instance, it's a good idea to safely store any copies of warranties and written guarantees you've been provided with. Invoices and receipts should be similarly stored in case you need them for future reference.
You might trust your contractor, and you certainly can if you found them with MyBuilder, as we mentioned. However, with any work like this, there's always at least a small chance of an unforeseen problem occurring. For peace of mind and preparedness, keep hold of all evidence of your dealings with contractors.