Ice Damming Causes Roof Damage in Omaha

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After the latest bombardment of snow storms, many households throughout the Omaha area had to deal with ice damming. Those nasty icicles, and the inches of snow that create them, can seriously challenge your roofing installation. After the snow melts, it is important to inspect your Omaha roof for damage.

Often times, these storms shed light on poorly installed skylights. After the melt, check the skylights for signs of leaking. Improper insulation, bad installation, as well as other factors, play a role in leaking and should be addressed immediately.

It is also important to inspect your roofing for warping. Warping indicates that the wood underneath the shingles may be compromised, creating a serious issue. Peeling, or bubbling, shingles are another sign that your roofing need attention.

If you think your roof has some damage, call your insurance provider to have the roof inspected. Total Construction Services in Omaha can inspect your roof as well. Our HAAG certified inspectors are a trusted source for insurance agents. We can diagnosis damage and provide a course of action to help protect your home.

Call us today 402.572.7457. | www.mytotalconstruction.com

Winter: A Smart Time to Remodel Your Omaha Home

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All Omaha homeowners have a few remodeling ideas they like to ponder—whether it’s a new kitchen remodel, adding that dream space to the living room or adding a new roof—but what they fail to realize is that winter is the perfect time to get it done. Here’s why.

You’ll snag discounts.

Obviously, spring and summer see the heaviest demands for Omaha home remodels. But in the winter, that demand suddenly drops. Lower demand could mean a slightly lower price for you. Winter is a wise window of time to take advantage of—and your chance to finally make that dream project a reality. Some homeowners are known to schedule remodels during their winter vacations so they can return to a newly upgraded home.

You’ll get it done faster.

Winter is the slow season for Omaha roofing and remodeling contractors. If you remodel along with everyone else in the warmer months, you could be placed on a waiting list or have a tougher time seizing your contractor when schedules are at their busiest. But during the calm, hunker-down months of winter, you’ll enjoy a more-frequent access to contractors that feels more akin to VIP status. Enjoy.

It’s 2014.

Modern Omaha remodeling contractors also have the technology and capacity to do their job any time of year. They carry specialized equipment that eliminates dust during a remodel—even when windows must stay shut during the winter—and they know how to better temperature-regulate a home during the cold months if a wall must be cut out. Contractors, and the technology they use, have come a long way. To think that winter is a no-remodel period is a now-obsolete belief.

Now that you’re privy to this information, stop waiting on that long-awaited remodel! Now that winter is here, contact a certified construction contractor and Omaha roofing contractor to discuss making your dreams a reality.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Choosing a career? Skilled labor salaries are through the roof.

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Carpenters. Welders. Electricians. Bricklayers. Drywall Installers. Across the board, careers in skilled labor are seeing massive salary growth as demand for these types of trades is skyrocketing.

The reason for this? Across many markets, there’s a shortage of skilled laborers—a gap that desperately needs filling. In fact, those who complete training, certification programs, or appropriate degree programs are now enjoying job placement rates around 90%. More than ever, the construction industry needs skilled professionals.

What you can do.

With skilled construction jobs booming, the research is everywhere. Contact a solid construction contractor for information, guidance or even possible assistance with your training. Contact a local trade school or technical institute. Converse with family. Just whatever you do, don’t overlook a great opportunity and a rewarding career path.

Total Construction is a two-time recipient of the Omaha Better Business Bureau Integrity award. We continue to hire the best craftspeople while serving the finest customers in the Metro since 1987.

Pro tips to warm up your home for winter.

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Winterize your home with useful tips from Total Construction

With the winter chill fast upon us, it’s the perfect time to be proactive and prep your home to save on your energy bills. While there are dozens of things you can do to get your home ready for winter, we’ve trimmed down the list to a few simple and highly effective steps.

Change your furnace filter. This simple action is cheap, quick and serves a double purpose: enabling a more efficient, cost-saving flow of air through your home, and filtering your home from airborne bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen. With your windows sealed tight during the cold months, the quality of your indoor air can make a vast difference. For best results, avoid fiberglass filters and seek electrostatic and HEPA filters.

Turn down your water heater and thermostat. Most water heaters are set to 140º F—an often-needless amount of heat that converts to steam you don’t use anyways. Lower your water heater to 120º to reduce your costs by as much as 10%. Want to lower energy bills even more? Lower your thermostat. For every degree you go down, you can save an additional 3% on your monthly heating. Bypass high thermostat temps by wearing your favorite sweater instead—and the results will show.

Tax credits are everywhere. You could enjoy federal tax credits up to 30% when you do things like upgrade your insulation, install energy-efficient windows, or install an energy-efficient furnace—just to name a few. Contact a construction contractor for further advice on special offers that you can utilize. You’ll also be insulating your wallet in the process.

Install storm doors and windows. A new storm door can increase energy efficiency by more than 40%. And storm windows are no different in their effectiveness against cold winds. As you know, poor-quality windows and doors can become a freeway for cold air, which zaps your heat efficiency. A contractor can tell you the best options available.

Insulate your water pipes. Wherever your water pipes are warm to the touch, insulation is likely needed. Insulating your pipes not only serves as a preventative measure for pipe bursts, but also reduces the cost you pay for hot water. Ask a local hardware store for pipe insulation that you can install yourself—quickly and painlessly. You can also receive federal tax credits in the process.

Find a solid contractor. When it comes to fortifying your home for winter, nobody helps to better prepare you, answer your questions, or audit the energy use of your home like a good construction contractor. In addition to serving homes in Omaha and surrounding areas for decades, Total Construction has received the 2015 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. Whatever your needs, or your queries, we’re here to help.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Flooded basement? Water damage? What to do.

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If you’re experiencing a flooded basement or intrusive water of any sort, you’re not alone. It can happen for any variety of reasons—whether it’s torrential downpours, broken gutters, leaky windows, foundational damage, burst pipes or countless other issues. Here are just a few pieces of information that can help you get back to normal.

Don’t underestimate water damage.

While you can address minor cases of water damage yourself, unwanted water often requires professional attention. Standing water is among the most obvious and extreme cases of a water damage emergency, which can pose an electrical shock hazard if you set foot in it. Steer clear of standing water and, in this case, call a water damage professional—namely, a qualified construction contractor. Why? Because they’ll not only absolve your water damage issues with the proper equipment and experience, but they’ll do it safely while locating the exact sources of the issue.

That’s not all. They can also help identify any threats of mold or mildew—a potential health and respiratory hazard—and inform you how to best prevent leaks in the future. Remember: merely removing water is addressing the issue on a surface level. Nothing beats a professional when it comes to thoroughly restoring your home to normal.

Don’t just make an insurance claim—make inquiries.

When you talk to your insurance provider, ask them about a list of preferred vendors. This can help weed out subpar contractors and ensure you’re receiving a premium list of professionals. Also, ask for contractors who carry an in-house insurance claims division, which can hasten the process and ensure that you’re receiving the most reasonable rates.

Don’t worry.

Water damage happens all the time—especially during years with higher rain volumes. By knowing how to ask the right questions and how to search for the best contractor, you’ll replace your anxieties with answers.

For professional water damage repair or mold remediation, you can always call the experts serving the Omaha Metro and beyond since 1987.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Looking for a great Contractor? Seek a Preferred Insurance Vendor.

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Whether your home has incurred storm or hail damage, fire damage, water damage or otherwise, you’ll need two professional parties to assist you: your insurance company and, of course, a construction contractor. The good news is, you can kill two birds with one stone by asking your insurance about a Preferred Insurance Vendor—that is, an experienced Construction Contractor who’s on their VIP list for providing dependable service again and again.

Preferred means Progress.

Working with a contractor who has a preferred relationship with your insurance ensures a quick response for the policyholder and the best possible service in the least amount of time. Why? A preferred vendor doesn’t make the cut by being mediocre. They have to earn such a status. It’s proof that they offer a professional level of efficiency and a full scope of work that’s essential in the claims process. For example, a few telltale traits of a preferred vendor may include:

• An in-house Insurance Claims Division, which lends even more speed and experience to getting the job done at the right price.
• HAAG-certified Roof Inspection capabilities, which means the contractor can assist your adjuster in identifying the right building materials and help you avoid unnecessary costs.
• Many years of estimating experience and close collaboration with adjusters, engineers, architects, building inspectors—the entire array of professionals—to keep all processes smooth.
• A sound warranty to back up its claim of quality work.

Of course, these are just a few benefits of a preferred vendor—in addition to the obvious perk of saving you time trying to hunt down a good contractor.

Remember, like all businesses, insurance companies are also interested in customer retention. And that’s why they won’t waste everyone’s time by suggesting a subpar contractor.

Total Construction has served the Midwest since 1987 with quality repair, restoration and remodeling. We’ve worked with several well-known insurance providers and continually win awards for our level of service. And that’s why customers prefer us, too.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Basement flooding and mold: what you should know.

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Given this season’s torrential rains, a majority of homeowners in the Midwest have experienced water in their basements—which also leads to a buildup of mold resulting from the moisture. Thankfully there’s no reason to be concerned if you know what to do. Whether you have obvious sightings of mold or you’re unsure and need a proper assessment, here are a few pieces of wisdom that will help you get back to normal—quickly.

Consult a water damage and mold remediation professional.

Mold is a notoriously resilient, airborne-prone fungus. That’s why it’s important to never disturb any mold growth visible on your home’s infrastructure, and never trust any DIY mold removal kits on the market, which often prove ineffective. In these cases, a professional is best instead of trying to tackle it yourself—namely, a full-service construction contractor who has experience with household mold and water damage repair.

An experienced professional will ensure you receive thorough mold remediation, from a knowledgeable expert that knows how to detect the presence of mold throughout your home and eradicate it using the proper equipment.

Above all, the best option is prevention.

Even if you’re unsure whether you have mold, or your home seems unaffected by this season’s downpours, remember: a professional can also offer a thorough inspection and preventive consultation to ensure that your home is free of unwarranted moisture. A mold-free home is a healthy one.

Unexpected water or mold in the home can lead to further problems. But thankfully, it’s also one of the fastest and easiest issues to alleviate in the hands of proper professionals.

For mold remediation and repair across Omaha, Papillion, La Vista and Bellevue, you can always call the experts serving the Metro since 1987.

Out with the mold, in with the new!

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

5 things to consider when deciding on a new roof

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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

We handle insurance claims

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After storm, water, or fire, damages your home, you should call us at Total Construction Services. We routinely work with insurance companies to provide accurate inspections and estimates, and work tirelessly to get your home back to normal.

In 2013 we handled claims from
• Allstate
• American Family
• Farmers
• The Hartford
• Nationwide
• Travelers
• State Farm
• USAA

In 2013 Total Construction Services handled over 1,500 claims in the metro alone.
Your provider not on the list? Ask your agent about Total Construction Services.

And if you are worried about hiring the right company…

Storm damage? Avoid a waiting list.

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If hail or high winds have affected your property, don’t fret—expert repair services are available to you at a minimal wait. Total Construction is operating at fuller strength than ever to address this season’s first wave of major storms. From handling homeowner’s claims across Omaha, to claims across the Midwest including the aftermath in Red Oak, Iowa, our company carries the proven capacity and experience necessary to get you back to normal fast—wherever you live, whenever a storm hits.

Want efficiency? Seek experience first.

To ensure that we can serve you quickly—and complete the job thoroughly—our fleet operates in conjunction with our in-house insurance claims center and veteran estimators. It’s a one-two punch of experience that can expertly address both your property needs and all paperwork that arises. We’re also affiliated with a network of top third party roofers in the nation, giving us greater experience handling emergency situations and providing faster—yet finer—repairs to each home we serve. We can eliminate the obstacles that often cause delays or discrepancies in the repair process. It’s a part of our skillset.

Want more proof? Seek awards.

Total Construction has been serving Omaha and surrounding areas for 27 years. In that time, we’ve been awarded the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award and been honored as a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor—a feat that only 3% of North America’s roofing contractors have ever achieved. Add that to a list of satisfied customer testimonials that continues to grow.

When a storm hits, it’s our duty to inform you that better options are available. Because we’ve seen the grief a damaged home can cause—but moreover, seen the joy when a home is well repaired, on time.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com