Get ready for summer: De-winterize your home.

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The summer sun is coming. Get your home ready.Winter is receding and the summer sun is teasing its way in. Now’s a perfect time to prepare your home with a few simple steps to maximize your comfort and minimize any issues this season.

Test your outside water lines. Turn your outside water line back on and check your outside faucets to ensure they’re working correctly. Reattach your hose and test it also. If there’s a small leak, you can easily repair it using a garden hose repair kit available at most retailers.

Check your home’s exterior. Now’s the time to see how your home handled the winter and preemptively address any needs before spring storms and summer swelter begin their annual barrage. Are there any shingles missing from the roof? Are there loose boards in the siding? Gaps in the windows? Torn or bent screens or any cracking in the foundation? Points where the snow leaked into the home? These are all things that can be promptly solved by a professional contractor before the problem grows more intense along with the weather.

Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. An attic that’s properly ventilated by professionals ensures that undue heat is never trapped in your home (poorly ventilated attics can reach 150ºF in the summer) while also preventing unwanted moisture. When moisture builds, it can form into mildew and molds on your infrastructure—which can sometimes become a health hazard. So let your attic breathe. The benefits may surprise you.

Get your HVAC system checked. Make sure you’re prepared when you revive the AC for another season of cooling. Professionals can check your unit to ensure it’s running correctly, locate any leaks and tune it to run most efficiently.

Test all of your outside electrical outlets. Are they working correctly? Again, a professional contractor can assist if you locate a dud, which may indicate a greater problem.

Know your market. It’s wise to be prepared. With the seasonal changes on the horizon, be sure to have a trusted contractor on hand in the event of a problem or emergency. You can ask your home insurance provider for a list of trustworthy names. But above all, look for someone who receives local awards and real testimonials indicating overall excellence and customer service.

A well prepared home decreases the likelihood of issues during the hot months, but more importantly, enables you to more easily enjoy the summer. After all, isn’t that the point?

If you have further questions on de-winterizing your home, or for anything home-related, call Total Construction any time to speak with a friendly representative.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Times are changing: Important information about your roof in 2014.

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2014 marks new changes in the roofing industry.

As winter recedes and gives way to the storm and hail season, it’s also important to be aware of some other changes that could affect your roof. From insurance changes, to emergent roofing scams, to valuable information on securing a better roof for your home, the following tips will help you protect your finances while protecting the longevity of your home.

It’s time to double-check your home’s insurance policy.

If you live where hail happens most often—the Midwest being a prime example—a shorter lifespan on a roof is more likely. Insurance companies are aware of this and while most offer good comprehensive service, some are looking to cut their losses by limiting your roof coverage. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, hail-related claims increased 84% between 2010 and 2012.

Look for these changes in your renewal policy:

  • 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
  • Roof inspections that note the condition and age of your roof before issuing a policy
  • Not covering roofs made from obsolete shingles (thus making it difficult to buy replacement shingles)
  • Doing partial roof repairs instead of replacing your whole roof (possibly leaving you with a patch that’s a different color than your original roof)

Also, as another note of caution, be weary of insurers paying actual cash value rather than replacement value for roof damage. This means insurance will discount your roof claim based on how old your roof is—leaving you with a lower claims payment and a higher-dollar roof replacement bill. A great way to find out if this applies to you? Read the declaration page of your policy—or simply call your insurance agent.

Get wise to reduce vulnerability to hail—and scammers.

If you live in areas prone to hail, your roof will likely need to be replaced every seven to 10 years compared with every 20 years in less stormy areas. That’s why it’s good to educate yourself with a few tips when you choose materials to upgrade, repair, or replace your home’s exterior components. For example, look for roofing materials rated by UL 2218 or FM 4473 as class 3 or 4. It’s like a code that says they’re proven to withstand hailstorms. Choose materials rated for the wind speed in your area. You can even ask your insurance agent if you qualify for a homeowners insurance discount for using storm-resistant building materials. But above all, use an experienced contractor (ideally one who has an insurance claims division to make the process smoother) who can properly install a roof to withstand high winds.

But it’s not just hail that can damage your roof; it’s also fraud. Be skeptical of any roofers who show up after a hailstorm offering to check your roof for damage. Once they’re up there, they may further damage your roof, or worsen what the storm did, then offer to make repairs. The best way to protect yourself? Only allow reliable, experienced, licensed contractors to examine your roof—who are even more credible if they’ve won local awards. Don’t respond to offers claiming you can get a “free” roof (the scammers are assuming your insurance will pay for it), and make sure anyone you hire to repair your roof uses proper storm-resistant materials.

Have more questions or just need some simple answers? Call the roofing experts serving the Midwest since 1987.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Attention Midwest: Pipe or water damage from the cold? What to do.

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A burst pipe can happen to anyone in the cold months. Be prepared!

Total Construction is ramping up efforts to be available region-wide for any homes or businesses that need emergency repair, restoration or any expert assistance from a qualified construction contractor. If your infrastructure has been hit by the cold, fret not. We can help.

We’ll get your home back to normal—fast.

We understand that the damage doesn’t stop once the pipes are repaired. Water damage has a way of escalating into greater problems and fast becoming an eyesore. Our team has addressed water issues countless times and knows how to quickly, seamlessly restore your space to its original condition. No matter what type of damage you’ve incurred, call us and we can provide the answers you need.

We’ll work with insurance.

Our insurance claims department can work directly with your insurance providers and adjustors to make the process faster and far simpler. We remove confusion from the process and ensure numbers are more exact—instead of excessive.

We’re trusted across the Midwest.

No matter how urgent or casual a damage situation, a certified construction contractor is crucial to ensure the job is done right. Total Construction received the Better Business Bureau Integrity award in 2010 among many other distinctions, and we continue to receive real testimonials from satisfied customers.

Right now, the bitter cold is working hard to disrupt homeowners.

Thankfully, we’re working harder and swiftly dispatching teams across the Midwest. Remember, when disaster strikes, always get two estimates—and make sure one is from Total Construction.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Roof Repair: Seek Integrity, not just Instant Quotes.

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Get a Free Estimate from Total Construction ServicesWhile the storm season can seemingly produce hail out of nowhere, it also produces another sudden phenomenon: An outbreak of advertising leading you to websites offering fast free bids, instant quotes, instant roofer comparison lists and overall instant alleviation from your worries as a homeowner with roof damage.

And while these websites can sometimes yield a few good roofers with a click of your mouse, the fastest option is not always the best. Wise consumers know how to sort quality from quantity when they’re comparing which roofer is best for them—and can still fit an expert repair into a busy roofing schedule when it seems as though several contractors are backed up for months.

Be enticed by solid repair, not speedy repair.

While you’re understandably looking for an available roofer fast, it’s important to reiterate: Always look for the indicators of a great roofer first and foremost. Does the company have a good local reputation that’s backed by awards and testimonials? Do they offer a solid warranty? Do they have experience that proves their longevity in the industry? Do they work with an insurance company who can vouch for them? The roof is a literal investment over your head. It’s important to have it done right—and you’ll be much happier down the road.

You can still have both—quality repair and no waiting list.

After you’ve weeded down your options by asking the above questions, you can fine-tune your comparisons from there. And if the roofers you contact are too busy to serve you now, there’s a smart option not widely known to the public called a third party—a network of local, regional and national roofing contractors who serve much like an elite national guard wherever roofers are needed (especially right after heavy storms). And you can always ask your insurance—as well as the roofers you’re contacting—for companies that they can refer.

So if you’ve received recent hail damage to your roof, chin up. The roofing industry is evolving fast, better options are becoming available, and there’s no longer a need to settle for speedy subpar options. You can still get the best service for your roof—on time and on budget!

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Or learn more about Third Party Management.