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Archive for July, 2009

Hail Damage MN | MN Hail Damage Roof

Hail Damage MNHail damage Minnesota can be confusing and challenging for homeowners. Not only can managing the hail damage mn restoration process be time consuming and challenging, but the tremendous amount of insurance paperwork, color and material selections, and selecting the right hail damage contractor takes time and energy as well.

Here is some helpful insight to helping with the hail damage mn claim process.

Hail and wind damage adjusters will only consider damage that is 4 feet and higher. Anything lower they tend to call “mechanical damage”, that is damage caused by something other than wind, hail or flying debris.  Weed whips, lawnmowers, children, balls and animals are all examples of things that can cause mechanical damage. An experienced hail consultant knows the difference, and can easily tell the difference between mechanical damage and otherwise four feet and below, and will negotiate this point with you r insurance company. Don’t be fooled by industry jargon and fancy insurance adjuster lingo, get the straight answer from a local and reputable source.

Consult only a hail damage contractor that will successfully negotiate this point with your insurance company. Consult Berkeshire Exteriors. (763) 746-4913

Hail Damage MN | Maplewood Hail Damage | Ham Lake Hail Damage MN

Hail Contractor MN | Hail Damage Roof Photos

Hail Contractor MNHail damage photos. We have a huge archive of hail damage photos MN that we will begin posting on this blog regularly. Taken over the years on roof and in insurance remediation cases. Why? As a trusted resource for Minnesota residents that may have hail damage. Also for those that face a hail damage claim denied, and want an honest look at what hail damage really is. In other words, calling a spade a spade. Not an unrealistic expectation of a new roof imposed by an unscrupulous contractor seeking a fast buck. It’s that to look out for. We are a trusted resource that knows what hail damage is, and knows what hail damage in not.

Hiring the wrong hail contractor mn or a contractor not qualified can be a time bomb waiting to happen. If you have had problems with contractors in the past, you know it can be a costly and painful circumstance. Whether you would like to avoid this from happening again, or are navigating your way through this for the first time, understanding key concepts will make the process easier. One key concept follows.

Not all companies are experienced in insurance claim restoration. In addition to the ability to repair the damage, a company needs solid experience in processing insurance documents, the methods of recovering depreciation monies, handling mortgage company inspections, working with insurance underwriters, using insurance approved estimating software, working in the guidelines of supplemental payments and managing the mountain of paperwork. The ability to manage all facets of the insurance claim restoration process proves important to a well managed project from beginning to end.

For additional info, download our valuable report. “9 Critical Things To Know Before You Call Your Insurance Company”. It is available free at our MN Roofing Contractor website.

Give us a call. (763)-746-4913. It would be our pleasure to demonstrate our capabilities and show you how our unique roof replacement systems will benefit you in replacing your roof. We are happy to schedule a complimentary quick roof evaluation when it’s convenient for you and your schedule, not ours. We are ready to meet any roofing challenge you face and will make your roof replacement project easy!

Hail Contractor MN | Hail Damage Roof Pictures

Hail Damage MN July 14 2009

Hail Damage MN July 2009Hail damage is severe in several parts of Minnesota after hail storm July 14, 2009.

Here is a major factor to consider before you hire a hail damage roofing contractor in Minnesota to repair storm damage.

Only hire a local MN hail damage repair firm. A local hail damage restoration company is not what it used to be. Make sure the company you select is genuinely local, in the following five ways. First, they have not been purchased by a national storm chasing company for use of their Minnesota General Contractors License. Second, they are based in Minnesota, with a permanent business location in the Twin Cities or centrally located in MN. Third, they have their own Minnesota based warranty division. Fourth, they manage their business from inside the State of Minnesota, not from afar, directing activities from a posh office in another state. Lastly, make sure the “genuinely local” company you select will handle all of the needed repairs.

Often national storm chasing companies will appear local to win your insurance claim, and then do not follow through to the end leaving many headaches in between. Specific areas to consider are windows, due to their order time line and complexity. Most contractors want in and out for a quick buck. Trust a firm that is with you for the long haul.

Don’t trust just anyone with your hail damage repair needs, trust a reputable Minnesota Roofing Contractor. Trust Berkeshire Exteriors. (763) 746-4913

Roof Hail Damage Pictures

Roof Hail Damage PicturesRoof hail damage photos are often misleading. Hailstones are chunks of ice produced by the turbulent updrafts of thunderstorms in MN. Hailstones vary in size, shape and hardness. Thus, roof hail damage marks have various sizes, shapes and depths. Hailstone caused impact marks are generally rounded, but not perfectly circular. Hail stone marks are extremely random on a roof.  Equally significant, just because aluminum vents and metal roof flashing are dented does not mean the roof is damage.

Hail damage in Minnesota is common, have an expert look at your roof to determine if there is merit for an insurance claim. Roof hail damage photos are helpful as a reference, but hail cased marks are unique to each storm and each shingle type.

Note the random pattern of these hail stone impact marks in the hail damage photo at left. This is a photo taken after the MN Hail Storm 2008. Notice the exposed asphalt is black indicating recent damage, and the random nature of the size and shape. The larger the hail, typically the fewer and farther apart the impacts are. This is an extreme example. The roof in this picture was deemed a total loss, and replaced by the insurance company. The finished product can be viewed in the see our work section of our Minnesota Roofing Contractor website.

Think you have hail damage? We provide Certified Hail Damage Reports at no charge to Minnesota homeowners. (763) 746-4913

Storm Damage Roof Replacement MN

Roof Replacement MNStorm damage roof repair and hail damage roof replacement are a Minnesota commonality. But don’t trust just anyone with your roof replacement MN,  trust a reputable local contractor with experience and the roof replacement systems to make the transition from old roof to new a seamless one. Here is a key concept to keep in mind when faced with a roof replacement in MN.

Correctly tearing off the old roofing system lays the ground work for a good install.

Removing the old shingles and roofing components is an important part of the roof replacement. But beyond the mess and noise are elements important the entire process. The tear off should be done in a neat and organized way, with the main objective being surface preparation. Not overly deep to damage the underlayment, but assertive enough to remove sealed roofing membranes.  Improperly discarded and or tossed shingles and nails can damage siding, gutters, and scratch windows. An unorganized method of removing shingles commonly leaves unnecessary collateral damage. Remaining nails not completely removed or not driven flush into the underlayment prevents a smooth surface for new material install. There should be an organized plan as to the direction of the tear off, method of removal, and refuse container positioning. The removal of the shingles is a hard and labor intensive process. It must be organized, orderly, and have much thought put into the preparation for the new surface.

Look for a roofing contractor MN of which has the expereince, the craftsmanship warranty, and the character to deliver on the 4 fundimental components of success. We show up on time, we do what we say we are going to do, we finish what we start, and we say please and thank you.

Roof Replacement MN

Common Roof Problems MN

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Hail Storm Roof Repair MN

Hail Storm Roof RepairThe fascinating thing about hail storms in Minnesota, is the hail storm roof repair MN and roof replacement need thereafter. But there is more to the process and the circumstance than the actual replacement of the storm damaged roof MN.

It pays tremendous dividends to have an experienced hail damage consultant present at the time of the insurance adjustment. Hail Storm Roof Repair MN. Knowing the standard process and insurance adjusting nomenclature is important, and being comfortable inspecting a roof proves vital. You DO NOT want a representative working for the insurance company the only professional on site, and the only one familiar with the process.  A good hail consultant will closely evaluated the damage ahead of time and define the scope of damage, then professionally work alongside the adjuster as they adjust the damage. Given the right approach, adjusters will be glad they had assistance, and be comfortable in an agreed scope of storm damage MN. This prevents them from having to come back and moves the process ahead very quickly. We would be glad to help!

Free Report: “9 Critical Things To Know Before You Call Your Insurance Company” Do not call your insurance company to file a claim before you read this. Available for download here.

MN Storm Damage Repair

Hail Storm Roof Repair

Hail Damage Claims in Minnesota

Hail Damage MNHail damage claims in Minnesota can be confusing and frustrating for homeowners. Not only can managing the hail damage restoration process be time consuming and challenging, but the mountain of insurance paperwork, color and material selections, and selecting the right hail damage contractor takes time and energy as well.

Here is a helpful tip to helping with the Minnesota hail damage claim process.

Know the exact storm date and approximate time your home or business incurred the damages. Your insurance company will ask you this, so it’s handy to have it written down when you call. Also have a general idea of what has damage. You will be asked to name the general areas that you have damage, like the roof, siding, gutters etc. Equally significant, it’s smart to mention both wind and hail damage mn as this information will appear on your insurance adjuster’s service sheet. This tends to yield a more detailed and careful evaluation by your adjuster due to wind damage being less evident, and harder to identify quickly.

Berkeshire Exteriors is the premier Minnesota roofing contractor, and hail damage roofer. Give us a call, we will provide you great additional resources and claim management documents to aid you in the process of hail damage claims in Minnesota.

Hail Damage Roofing Contractor

Hail Damage Minnesota

Minnesota Hail Damage Contractors

Hail Damage MN

Hire only a hail damage restoration company that at a minimum has a Haag Engineer Certified Hail Damaged Inspectors on staff. Why? This is important credibility when working with insurance adjusters evaluating hail damage. Knowing how to identify size, direction and relative hardness of hail impacts is the foundation of this certification.

Knowing when the service life a roof has been shortened or its water shedding ability has been decreased proves extremely important in determining if a roof can be repaired or requires replacement. It’s one thing to look for hail dents and dings; it’s another to be certified in the hail damage evaluation field. Insurance adjusters love working with Haag Engineers because they speak the same language and look for the same things.

Berkeshire Exteriors provides in-depth Certified Hail Damage Inspection Reports, and offer effective action plans for successful insurance claims, even if a hail claim has been denied. If you’re seeking a second option, or simply want an honest and certified storm damage evaluation give me a call. We provide you accurate evaluations and fast results.

Upon receiving your Certified Hail Damage Report, you will know if your structures water shedding ability has been abruptly shortened, or your roofs service life expectancy has been jeopardized. Knowing this information and demonstrating this in detail to your insurance adjuster often is the difference between good and bad results. Let me do this for you!

Minnesota Haag Certified Roof Inspector services are provided at no charge to existing clients of Berkeshire Exteriors. Give us a call (763) 746-4913.

Hail Damage Claim MN

Minnesota Hail Damage To Shingles

Hail Damage MN

Hail damage to Minnesota shingles for some people is hard to determine. That’s why a trained eye proves important when the hail damage claim process begins. Here is our take on hail damage to shingles in Minnesota.

Hail Damage To Shingles: When is a shingle damaged by hail?
Functional damage to roofing materials is within two fundamental concepts. A reduction in water-shedding ability, or a reduction in expected service life.

Hail damage MN is specifically identified as:

Pattern of bruising or puncturing of bitumen characteristic of falling hail stones – Fracturing of shingle matting – Bruising near tab edging – Chipped or clipped edges – Size, direction, and relative hardness of hail stones meeting damage threshold requirements. Others.

How is old hail damage vs. new hail damage identified and characterized? What is your insurance companies policy on old hail damage despite a recent hailstorm?

Old hail damage vs. new hail damage is characterized by:

Roundness of fracture – extent of oxidation of fracture surfaces – Frayed or tattering edges – Shrinkage of matting – Discoloration of exposed bitumen coloring. Many others.

What is Minnesota wind damage? How is it identified?

Wind damage is characterized by:

Individual shingle tabs and whole shingles torn from windward side of roof – Creasing along top of tabs – Sealant bonding and fastener release – Impacting debris damage. Others.

Need a hail damage expert? Give us a call.

FREE SPECIAL REPORT: “8 Things You Need To Know Before You Hire a Contractor” available for free download by clicking here.

Hail Damage MN, Hail Damage Claim Adjusters

Hail Damage MN

Hail damage in Minnesota is a fascinating thing. It’s a natural event that comes without other than the tornado warnings commonly buzzing at the time hail seems to come from nowhere. After the storm leaves the MN Hail Damage, the headache for homeowners just begins. Insurance adjusters are not all the same. Here is some interesting industry insight.

All hail damage MN insurance adjusters are not the same. Some are local staff adjusters, and some are independent national adjusters contracted to adjust claims when local claim adjuster resources are exhausted. The two differ greatly. Generally speaking, local claims adjusters are salaried employees of the insurance company, with a broader license for automotive, fire, property and casualty claims. Local adjusters tend to be more conservative when adjusting damage, and are more likely to pay for repairs than replacement.  Conversely, independent adjusters tend to be paid a commission or percentage of the damage they find, and are more liberal in their adjusting decisions. Independent adjusters seem to be more knowledgeable specifically in hail and wind damage identification as their focus.

Don’t trust just anyone with a truck and ladder to manage your hail damage claim, trust a local expert that can manage the MN hail claim process for you, and understand the methods and lingo that dazzles all types of insurance adjusters for consistent results. Trust a reputable Minnesota Roofing Contractor, trust Berkeshire Exteriors.

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