When you have major damage to your home, the first thing you are likely to do is call your insurance company. And while most of us would like to think that the insurance company is on our side, the truth is, homeowners are at a major disadvantage when it comes to filing a home insurance claim.

For one thing, your insurance company knows the policy much better than you do, and insurance companies will go through exhaustive processes ? requiring extensive paperwork from you ? which are designed to drag the claim process out for several years in some cases. The hope is that you, the homeowner will get worn out and give up.

As ASAP ROOFING, a national roofing company with offices in Aurora, Co., Dallas, Tx, and Indianapolis, In., sees this situation all too often, they suggest the following three things homeowners can do to get the most out of their insurance company:

1.aBeware of insurance checks that are marked ?full and final settlement?.aInsurance companies often try to deceive homeowners with checks that are much less than the final settlement amount, but are marked ?final settlement? to avoid paying the full amount. Once you?ve cashed a check like this, there is often nothing you can do.

2.aDon?t sign a release on your home insurance claim.aInsurance companies will often ask a homeowner to sign a release of liability, stating the ahome owner assumes responsibility for all future liabilities. Signing such a release removes the insurance companies from any responsibility for future damages. Do not, under any circumstances ever sign one of these.

3.aAsk for a local adjuster.aWhen large natural disasters hit, often insurance companies will bring in out of state adjusters who are not familiar with local costs. In this case, your insurance estimate could be much lower, and not reflect the true cost of your repairs.

ASAP ROOFING also believes that no homeowner should settle with their insurance company simply because they are exhausted. ?It is at this time that we can usually be the most helpful to a homeowner,? shares, Igor Kublitskiy, co-owner. Clearly, ASAP ROOFING is not taking the insurance process lightly, as they have a team of experts who specialize in insurance claims. ?While we are very good at handling insurance companies, there are still some things homeowners can do to protect themselves and make the process easier,? continues Kublitskiy.

And making the insurance claim process easier would certainly ease the mind of any homeowner. For more information on ASAP ROOFING, or to have one of their qualified adjusters help you with your home insurance claim just visit http://asaproofing.com/

Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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Metal Roofing Benefits

Like many roofing materials today, metal roofing provides its own unique benefits. For instance:

• Metal roofing is a lightweight option.
• The material requires minimal maintenance.
• Metal is fire retardant, which allows it to offer better protection for your business.
• When professionally installed, metal roofing will last for 30-50 years, on average.
• Lastly, metal is energy efficient, saving you money on heating and cooling utility bills.

For business owners, these benefits are enough to make the switch to flat metal roofing. Your initial investment will be returned over time due to the cost-effective nature of metal as a material. Either way, you save money and build your business bigger and greater!

Green Roofing

The most significant reason why commercial businesses choose metal roofing relates to environmental impact. More companies are making great efforts to beaenvironmentally-friendly. Green roofing is a viable solution.

The reflective surface of flat metal roofing helps reflect the sun, helping the interior of your office structure remain fresh during the summer. When the inside is cool, your air conditioning system does not need to work as hard, which is more cost-effective overall.

Furthermore, the metal used in metal roofing is often built from recycled materials here in North America. Lastly, ?green? benefits of flat metal roofing help businesses acquire tax credits from the government.

Contact Us

Choosing reputable Houston roofing contractors is not that easy. It would be desirable to find a contractor who is responsible, experienced and insured. Whatever the individual selection process may be, it is still the homeowner?s responsibility to establish a reference point to compare and even pre-qualify all nearby Houston roofing contractors. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends pre-qualifying the chosen roofer to ensure that the roof will be done correctly when it is installed. If not, one may experience what Morgan County Library in Alabama encountered on their roof, which was the complete lack of a drainage system.

Ultimate Responsibility

If something happened to the roof, it would be hard to determine where to put the blame ? on the Houston roofing contractor or on the person who hired them. The immediate response would probably be to blame the roofing contractor; however, the ultimate responsibility for dissatisfaction with a roof installation lies with the person who made the selection of a roofing contractor

Money is Not the Only Criteria

Every household owner tries to save money on their roof and this is a common mistake. It is a bad mistake to try to save money on a roof by hiring the cheapest roofing contractor or using the cheapest roofing material since this structure that sits on top of a home protects everyone and everything in the house. If someone hires Houston roofing contractors simply based on the cost, they may wind up with a roof similar to the house in Gaithersburg, Maryland where nails were blown through during the installation and the nails did not hold properly.

Opinion of Experts

According to the experts, there are two things to remember when dealing with Houston roofing contractors.

• References and Licenses ? Always look for references and licensing. Be sure to gather as many references as possible during a review of their previous roofing projects to determine if they are the roofing contractor appropriate for the job. Remember that roofers should back their work with guarantees or warranties.
• BBB Rating ? Another important aspect to check for is an ?A? rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Their many years of service and expertise can be measured by checking to see if they have had any customer complaints with BBB. Reputable Houston roofing contractors should be very particular with the brand of materials they use and the workmanship that they perform.

Many roofing contractors are flooding the building industry. They all have sweet tongues and good stories to tell. Do not be deceived by their false exterior. Always use common sense and select the right roofing contractor!

I sent a message to Hans Peter Koennecke asking if I could display pictures from his Master Roofer?saSchoolaheld in Cologne, Germany.a A group of skilled craftsmen gather and produce slate art which is incredible due to the detail and time involved.

More pictures are found on Hans? Facebook page which I?ve linked above.a Other teachers of the school include Uwe Bierbaum and Puma Kater. I apologize ahead of time for the titles that I?m giving the most literal meanings to.

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City Goat by Mattias Krings

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Journeymen by Michael Heise

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Sailing by Gina Ixkes

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Paraglider by Markus Vitt

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Parrots by Fadi Bichtawi

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Motorcycle by Michael Fleiger

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Coat of Arms by Stefan Crespodiez

Eagle by Ben Cloth

Magic Emblem by Michael Krause

Coat of Armsaby Sascha Schildgen

Buddhaaby Sascha Schildgen

The Full Collection

What is a storm chaser? In the roofing business, storm chasers are classified as businesses that follow large storms that cause exterior home damage. These contractors typically show up to an affected area immediately after a storm and try and get your business for the repairs.

What is Their Goal?

The idea of having contractors readily available after a storm to make your repairs quickly sounds great. In reality, storm chasers are trying to cash in your insurance check and poorly replace your roof or siding. Dealing with a natural disaster is stressful enough, and entrusting the repair work to a storm chaser can make matters worse. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your home.

1. Say No to Door-to-Door Solicitors

Storm chasing contractors tend to make it to your home in record time after a storm. This can be a very emotional time, and storm chasers try to capitalize on the fact that your emotions and decision-making processes might not be in order.

2. Check on Their Licensing

If you are considering a few contractors to make your repairs, check on their licensing and insurance. A storm-chasing company may not have all the up-to-date licensing for your area, which could lead to legal issues down the road. Read through their information to check for dates and location validation.

3. Oversee All Inspections

Storm-chasing contractors will most likely offer a free inspection to give you an idea of damages and repairs needed. Be sure you are available to oversee these inspections. Some of the most unreliable companies have been known to fake extra damage with golf balls or hammers.

4. Keep Your Insurance Information to Yourself

Contractors who are working on repairs after a storm are going to be paid by your insurance company. Keep your coverage information to yourself while deciding on a contractor. Storm chasers will likely give you a quote that is exactly or close to what your insurance will cover for the damage.

5. Don?t Feel Rushed

Finding yourself in an emergency situation after a storm may make you feel like you have to rush to get a contractor for the work. Most contractors will be available in a matter of days to give an estimate and begin work. Take your time while choosing to make sure the job is done right.

6. Never Pay the Full Amount Up-Front

Any reputable contractor is only going to ask for partialapayment up front. Storm chasers may ask for full payment, allowing them to do a poor job on your repairs. Always make sure to withhold some of the payment until you can inspect the work and ensure it is up to your standards.

7. Make Sure the Work Comes with a Warranty

Quality roofing and siding contractors will offer a warranty on the materials they are using and the workmanship. Storm chasers rarely stay in the same area and therefore do not offer warranties on their work.

8. Look into Their Reputation

Most contractors will have reviews or testimonials, either on their websites or other business review avenues. Find out more information about the quality of service they have provided other homeowners. If you cannot find any reviews at all it is best to avoid working with them.

How to Find a Roofer You Can Trust

Find a quality roofer instead of rushing into the quick promises of a storm chaser. Local roofing contractors are the smartest choice in the event of an emergency.

Local roofers know your community and have already provided local homeowners with quality service. These businesses were also affected by the storm or natural disaster and will offer more compassion and quality to their customers.

A roofing contractor you can trust will provide you with personal service and communication. They understand that each home is different and are not trying to hastily repair storm damage. Instead, they will consider each individual situation and make sure the needs of your home are being met.

Local companies like Able Roof care about you and will always keep your best interests in mind. At Able Roof, we strive to do what is best for our customers. We understand making repairs after a storm can be stressful, and we take extra caution to educate our customers about the repairs we are making. Instead of utilizing a quick fix from a storm chaser, contact a local company like Able Roof to give you quality service that will get your home back in working order.