By now, every Kansas City resident knows that the sound of dozens of golf balls hitting the roof is not a good omen. After a big storm rolls through, calls about leaks flood the homeowner’s insurance companies. It may be your gut instinct to call the insurance company right away to file a claim, but did you know that calling a roofer first can help get your claim approved? Keep in mind that insurance specialists work for a company, while roofers work for YOU.

Step 1: Take Notes.

Be sure to log the dates of hail or wind storms. Take photos of the storm or do an internet image search to find Kansas City hail storm damage. Finding photos of people showing the size of the hail is most helpful, say insurance agents.

Step 2: Get A Qualified Opinion.

Getting a second opinion from a roofer will help build your case. It isn’t always easy to get homeowners’ insurance storm-damage claims approved. Roofers are more than happy to provide you with a free estimate on storm damage. They know how to tell the difference between wear-and-tear damage and immediate storm damage. A good KC roofer will come back when the insurance adjuster comes to assess the damage, acting as a mediator to ensure your claim gets approved.

Step 3: File The Claim.

When you call the insurance specialists, be sure to mention you’ve had storm damage professionals inspect your roof and verify that you need the work done. In most states, you have up to a full year to file a claim for storm damage, but it’s recommended that you call right away.

Step 4: Meet With The Adjuster.

The insurance adjuster will spend about a half hour taking photos and examining the roof damage. Having roofers and insurance specialists work together can often result in a settlement quote being issued right then and there. Other times, you may have to wait a couple weeks. The roofer and insurance company will compare notes and measurements to come up with a fair price. The roofer should leave you with a written quote as well.

Step 5: Get The Work Done.

If all goes as expected, your claim will be approved and the roofing contractor can start work. Ideally, you will only be out the deductible money and the insurance company will cover the rest of the cost for your roof repairs or new roofing system. Understanding how roofers and insurance specialists work together can help you navigate this complex process and get your claim processed with greater ease. Don’t try to go it alone!

Traditionally speaking, the cost of roofing shingles has gone through the roof in recent years. All the oil needed to make and ship asphalt shingles explains the double-digit hikes we’ve seen in some cases. GAF-ELK, one of the top brands of shingles we use, has seen a price increase of 5 to 8 percent, while other popular brands like Tamko have gone up in price by as much as 15 percent. All this puts a strain on contractors who really don’t want to increase their price, but may have no choice. Luckily, we offer several different brands of shingles, giving you the freedom to choose what you pay.

Affordable Shingles In Kansas City

Consumer Reports has identified some low-priced bargains that offer the same caliber of quality, without the higher prices. Asphalt shingles from CertainTeed and Owens Corning are among the top performers in Consumer Reports roofing tests, but still cost half the price of other shingle brands. You can get 100 square feet for about $100 in some cases. Best of all, you can still get the attractive layered look and durability of architectural shingles for this price.

Hire A Trustworthy Kansas City Roofer

Hiring a contractor you can trust is another way to get a deal on a new roof in Kansas City this summer. Consult friends and neighbors who they used. Look online for contractors that offer customer referrals. Only settle for a roofer that is licensed, insured and rated by the Better Business Bureau. Speak to a couple different companies before making your final choice. (Don’t feel bad: we all understand this is just part of the KC roofing industry!)

Call Eclipse Roofing at 913-262-4700 for a free no-obligation quote.

We promise exceptional service and quality workmanship. About 99% of our business comes from referrals and we pride ourselves on developing lasting relationships with customers. (In KC, you never know when you’ll need a sudden hail storm repair!) Perhaps this is why we win the Angie’s List Super Service Award every year. If you need a new roof in Kansas City this summer, we look forward to hearing from you!

As you may have noticed, roofing in Kansas City has gotten much more expensive in recent years. In fact, the price per bundle for asphalt shingles has nearly doubled! Some roofing firms in KC have tried to absorb the cost themselves and cut deeply into their bottom lines. Others have passed the price increase along to unhappy customers. Others still have done a little of both.

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We’re commonly asked what the “average cost” of KC roofing is or what factors into the cost of roofing in Kansas City. This is a very important concept to understand when you call prospective contractors. You can’t compare apples to oranges — and that’s just what some contractors give you at first! Also, it’s tempting just to look at the bid and say “Yea” or “Nay” based solely on the bottom line. Yet, there is much more to KC roofing than meets the eye.

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