What Does Haag Certification Tell You About Me? It’s common sense: building materials don’t last forever. Throughout a product’s life cycle, its ability to keep you dry and insulated can be affected in a variety of ways. The natural process of weathering and aging can be accelerated by a number of factors:
> Problems during manufacturing.
> Design issues or errors during installation.
> The damaging effects of hail and wind or other non-natural (mechanical) forces.
While these issues are very different in origin, on the surface they can look quite similar. Determining the true cause of an issue with confidence requires advanced knowledge and thorough investigation techniques.
This is why Haag Certification is so valuable. Haag Certified Inspectors are not beginners in the field. They are adjusters, estimators, home inspectors, roofing contractors, consultants, and other industry pros who have fine-tuned their inspection skills to find damage where it exists.
> Not only must students meet prerequisites to attend, but they receive three days of direct and intensive training from seasoned Haag Engineers. (Haag’s course developers and teachers draw on Haag’s long history as a leader in the field of forensic engineering. Course instructors have over 300 years of combined field experience and have authored numerous industry-leading reports and researched studies on damage assessment.)
> To earn their designation as Haag Certified Inspectors, students must prove an in-depth understanding of advanced damage assessment techniques and philosophies by passing a comprehensive final exam.
> Students maintain active status as Certified Inspectors by requalifying through testing on an annual basis.
Simply put: Haag Certified Inspectors are tested professionals who possess the resources to assess damage with confidence.
Check out my personal Haag Certified Inspector profile at HaagCertifiedInspector.com today!
Proving an insurance loss is the responsibility of the insured. It is critical many times to contract with a roofing professional prior to an insurance adjuster evaluating the roof. The insurance company adjuster is not required to find damage, just because you experienced hail or wind or your neighbor experienced storm damage.
There are a lot of factors that go into whether or not the hail is damaging to a roof. The age and condition of the roof can greatly impact how large a hail pellet needs to be. In general, however, pea and marble sized hailstones do not typically cause damage to a roof without high winds also being involved.
Make sure your roofing contractor is experienced, licensed, insured, and that they provide a written warranty for their work. A dependable contractor will be able to provide credentials and customer references. Quantum Restoration & Remodeling is experienced, licensed and insured. We provide a written transferrable warranty for our work, we are HAAG certified, and we have a licensed insurance adjuster on our staff. We have happy and satisfied customers standing by to provide unbiased referrals.
Nothing! Quantum Restoration & Remodeling will provide you with a professional inspection and a roof replacement estimate at no cost.
No. Installing a new roof over your existing roof will cause more problems for you later down the road.
The best time to replace your roof is when the outside temperature is above freezing. However if you can’t wait, we can help determine the most effective way to install your roof at any time.
It is important to keep your gutters clean and keep an eye out for cracked or broken shingles, but leave roof repairs to the professionals. You don’t want to turn a minor repair into a major project.
It depends on the state of your roof. Some leaks may only require repairing the effected area. Nevertheless, a leak can also be a symptom of a larger problem that may require a complete roof replacement.
The effectiveness of your roof depends on its age, appearance and/or the presence of leaks. On average, your roof should last about 20 years. An effective roof should not have broken, curling or warped shingles. Lastly, if you have had multiple leaks or are concerned about the structural integrity of your home, then you may need a new roof installation.
It’s important to inspect your roof periodically, and we always recommend an inspection from a professional roofing contractor. If you suspect something may be wrong with your roof then give Quantum Restoration & Remodeling a call to schedule your free inspection.
The time it takes to replace a roof varies on the roof’s complexity. Smaller less complicated roofs can take as little as a few days, but larger complicated roofing systems may take up to a week or more. Our contractors will provide you with an estimated timeline when you are given your written estimate.
An adjuster can be an employee of an insurance company or an independent contractor hired specifically to work in a catastrophe area on behalf of an insurer. Their job is to document their findings and pass them on to a claims representative. An adjuster may or may not have the authority to approve or deny claims in the field; this authority will vary from company to company and with individual adjusters, depending on experience and policy. An adjuster should be an impartial observer, basing his or her findings on evidence of an objective nature. A homeowner should make every effort to be available at the time of the adjuster’s inspection of the property. You are encouraged to have your contractor or Project Manager at the inspection, as well; they know the processes and terminology very well and, at your request, may assist you in mediating your claim.
Also known as a Scope of Project, this document will be prepared by the adjuster for you. The format will vary by company, however the basic information is the same. The report will contain an itemized list, by quantity, of the components of your home to be replaced. A report for your siding, for example, may contain the ACV, RCV, and depreciation amounts for the tear-off of the damaged siding, the replacement siding itself, vapor barrier, haul away and disposal fees, taxes, and permit fees. This report may also contain a cover letter, with various breakdowns of the entire project, along with sketches and a summary. Your Project Manager will review the report with you to verify its completeness and to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
Property insurance contracts usually have some amount written in as a deductible. A one thousand dollar deductible is common in homeowners policies. The insurance company is saying, in your policy, that if you have a covered loss, you will pay the first $1,000.00 (or whatever your actual deductible amount is), and they will pay the rest, up to the limit of your policy. Beware of anyone offering to pay your deductible, whether it’s by giving you a coupon, offering “cash-back” or especially if they offer to write one contract for you at a lower amount, then submit a contract with a higher price to your insurance carrier to cover your deductible. This may constitute insurance fraud and that costs everyone more in the long run. It has been estimated that over 30 Billion dollars is lost each year, due to homeowners insurance fraud.
If additional damage or items are uncovered, which were not listed on the original Adjuster’s Report, your Project Manager will submit a supplement to your insurer’s claims department for reimbursement of those items. Supplements are quite common, since it is virtually impossible to see what is under your roof or behind your siding until the old materials are removed. Your Quantum Project Manager will be familiar with all aspects of your claim and your property, so you can feel confident that no detail, no matter how small, is missed or overlooked.
Using the example from above, the difference between the current replacement cost value ($10,000.00) and the ACV ($4,000.00) is $6,000.00. That difference in value is often times referred to as the depreciation. Another way of looking at it would be, you purchase a new car today for $20,000, in five years you go back to the dealer to trade it in, and they offer you $8,000.00 for the car. The $12,000.00 difference is the depreciation in value due to age, use, mileage, etc. The same concept is applied to the materials in your home. Of course, you probably haven’t put any miles on your house. In most cases, the insurance company will compensate you for the ACV portion of your claim, once the claim has been approved. Unless you have already contracted to have the work completed, the amount of the depreciation is usually withheld from your settlement until such time as the insurer has received proof that the covered repairs have been completed. Your Quantum Project Manager will prepare all the needed documentation on your behalf, in order to facilitate the release of depreciation, once your project has been completed.
With insurance settlements, actual cash value is generally used to compensate policyholders for their losses. That is, what is the least costly amount (or current value) that can be used to settle your claim? As an example: let’s say your roof would cost $10,000.00 to replace at today’s labor and material costs. However, when asked, you inform the insurance company that your roof is 15 years old, and the adjuster notes that your current roof is a 25 year shingle. In essence, you have used 60% of the life of your roof (15/25=60%), therefore the actual cash value (or the left over value) of your roof is currently $4,000.00 ($10,000.00 x 60% of use, leaves $4,000.00). Your deductible is generally deducted from your ACV check. Depositing this check does not waive your rights.
The cost (in today’s dollars) to replace an item with a new item of like kind and quality, similar to the item which is being replaced. RCV is generally based on prevailing local rates for labor and materials. It is important to note that the RCV is the maximum amount that will be paid, once proof of completion has been provided to the insurer. Quantum uses the same estimating software as most insurance companies, assuring you that in nearly every case, we can do all of your restoration work for no more than the total insurance estimate.
The sum paid for a loss. With insurance policies, the idea is that you don’t come out any better than you were before your loss, nor do you come out any worse off. That might be difficult when talking about your home’s exterior. Using the 15 year old roof as an example, it would be impossible to replace your 15 year old damaged roof with a 15 year old undamaged roof. That is why most homeowners’ policies have replacement cost value clauses. Now would be a good time to review your policy, so that you know exactly what to expect from your insurer regarding your coverages.
64% of Quantum Restoration customers come from referrals. We call it the WOW Factor. We thrive on attention to detail, knowing our craft, putting your needs before ours, and keeping you informed all the way through your project. From picking colors to picking up the last nail and beyond; all culminate in a customer experience that leaves people saying, “WOW”. Give Quantum Restoration a call today and discover for yourself what “WOW” is all about.