Summer of Storms: what to do if your home is damaged.

This year, the Midwest has seen a pummeling from unusually aggressive storm fronts, which makes now a good time for homeowners to know some tips when looking for a reputable contractor—and help weed out the rest.

Local experience. An unruly storm season like this one can attract many subpar contractors from out of town which, though they might offer swift repairs now, often lead to problems and consumer complaints down the road. Always trust a local contractor with many years of experience who can handle your needs and understand damages common to our region.

Local awards.
Most contractors are qualified; great contractors are awarded. Make sure a company has earned its share of honors and distinctions, such as awards highlighting business integrity, customer service excellence and certifications from house names such as HAAG or Owens Corning.

Local testimonials. In this service-driven industry, nothing speaks louder than satisfied customers who’ve been served across a variety of disciplines—whether it’s storm damage, water damage, hail damage or heavy winds. Seek out customer testimonials, whether from a company’s website or through word of mouth.

A longstanding warranty. A good roofing warranty proves that a company stands behind its work, is there to satisfy your needs and will do it right the first time. Another indicator of a contractor’s thoroughness? An in-house insurance claim center that works directly with your insurance company—thereby preventing sudden surprises and keeping numbers reasonable.

We’re serving Omaha and surrounding areas—and ready to serve you.

Total Construction is among of the top 3% of roofing contractors worldwide with GAF Master Elite status—yet we’ll always be local, serving homes and businesses in Nebraska and Western Iowa since 1987. If you’ve incurred storm damage on your property—or simply have questions—we’re here to help.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

5 things to consider when deciding on a new roof

When it’s time for a new roof, it’s also time to know a few tricks of the trade that will make your experience far easier. From enhancing the protective qualities of your roof, to lowering overall costs, you can prepare yourself with these five useful tips.

1) Alternative shingles are becoming the new trend.
While, of course, several homes still use wooden shingles, a growing amount are switching to alternatives that include concrete slate-type shingles and polymer plastic shingles, to name a few—not only for their homes, but for their insurance companies who highly approve. Ask a contractor about the non-flammable rating as well as options that are class 4 impact-resistant, which may qualify you for insurance discounts up to 30% or more. In the event of hail, a class 4 may even, in certain instances, cause insurers to waive your deductible.

2) Qualifications.
When selecting a roofing contractor, nothing outshines the competition like industry awards and local customer testimonials. Seek them both. In terms of quality, if the roofer has achieved GAF Master Elite Status, that already places them among the top 3% in North America. It’s simple: when you research a company, research its honors and distinctions as well.

3) Emergency response.
Another important factor to look for: experience. It’s always good to have a veteran roofing contractor holstered and ready in the event of emergency storm damage. Decades of regional experience show that they can work gracefully in the aftermath of a storm while being especially prepared for everything the local climate can deliver. Another sound indicator of good service? An in-house Insurance Claims Division that works directly with insurance to save you money—while saving you needless paperwork.

4) Double check your home’s insurance policy.
If you live where hail occurs more often—the Midwest being a prime example—a shorter lifespan on a roof is a common occurrence. While most insurance companies offer good comprehensive service, be proactive and educate yourself by looking for any changes in your renewal policy that may include:

  • Refusal to cover roofs over a certain age (like 10 years)
  • Adding a separate hail deductible that’s subtracted from what you’re paid on a hail claim
  • Excluding cosmetic damage like dents in metal roofs, siding, or copper trim
  • Not covering roofs made from obsolete shingles (thus making it different to buy replacement shingles)
  • Doing partial roof repairs instead of replacing your whole roof (possibly leaving you with a patch that’s different color than your original roof)

5) Warranty.
Of course, good roofing companies offer a long-lasting roof warranty, which is a prime indicator that they stand behind their level of quality.

Serving the Metro and beyond since 1987, Total Construction is prepared to handle all your needs—even if you just have questions.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com