Roof Leaks may be a result of Wind or Hail Damage. Read this before you spend a dime on repairs!

As a Maryland homeowner your first inclination when faced with a roof leak may be to call a contractor and pay for repairs but you have a better option. You owe it to your home and yourself to have a no cost, no obligation storm damage inspection.

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. of Beltsville, MD announces free storm damage assessment/inspection service for Maryland Homeowners. Beginning today a simple phone call to 301-847-8800 or 1-800-646-2846 will allow you to receive a no cost, no obligation hail and wind storm damage assessment usually within 72 hours. There is no cost to homeowners for the assessment and in most cases no one needs to be home. The summer of 2011 brought two (2) major hail storms to the Montgomery, Prince Georges, Howard, and Anne Arundel County areas of Maryland. If you live in the areas of Calverton, Beltsville, or Laurel in Prince Georges County, MD your home was likely impacted by hail between 1" and 1.75" in size on August 18, 2011. If you live in the Wheaton, Kensington, or Garrett Park communities or the Fairland/Briggs Chaney/Colesville area of Silver Spring in Montgomery County, MD your home was likely struck by hail between 1' and 1.75" in size on August 18, 2011. Homes of Upper Marlboro residents in Prince Georges County, MD were struck by hail between 1' and 1.75" on June 1, 2011. Homes of Anne Arundel and Howard County residents in Laurel, North Laurel, Maryland City and the surrounding area were struck by hail as large as 1.5" in size on August 18, 2011. These locations and dates are important to you if you live in any of the areas listed even if you do not have an active roof leak. Roof leaks are exactly what you can expect from a hail and/or wind damaged roof over time. Many Maryland Home Improvement Contractors install roofs and siding but few are trained hail and wind storm damage insurance recovery specialists like the team at Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. in Beltsville, MD. Hail damage is not easy to spot in its early stages and it is nearly impossible for a typical roofer to locate and document hail damage for your insurance company in a format that they will accept. Experienced insurance restoration contractors like the team at Nations Home Remodelers have years of experience documenting and assessing hail damage for insurance claims. Our insurance recovery expertise is unsurpassed by any contractor in Maryland. Your insurance company recognizes insurance restoration contractors like Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. and works with us to restore your home to its pre-damage condition. That roof leak you may be experiencing could be the result of storm damage and may cost you a lot less to address than you think. Don't put a bandage on a roof that should be replaced and don't spend money needlessly. You have likely been paying insurance premiums for years to protect your home. This is exactly the scenario where you should use the resources you have at your disposal other than your checkbook. Contact Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. today for a no cost, no obligation hail and wind storm damage assessment before you call your insurance company and file a claim. Many of your neighbors are receiving new roofs, new siding, new gutters & downspouts, and new metal trim on their homes as a result of our efforts for as low as the cost of their insurance deductibles. You have absolutely nothing to lose. If your home did not sustain damage we will tell you so at no cost to you. If you have damage we will walk you through every step of the process in getting your home restored to its undamaged state. Even if you don't see any damage it may be present as hail strikes on a roof lead to a premature failure of the roof which will ultimately lead to interior damage once the roof begins to leak. Contact Nations Home Remodelers now before further damage occurs for your no cost, no obligation assessment. With over 20 years in business and an A+ rating by the (BBB) Better Business Bureau, Nations Home Remodelers is the Maryland Contractor you can trust! Nations Home Remodelers can be reached by phone at 1-800-646-2846 or 301-847-8800. On the web we are located at http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net or via e-mail at nhrmaryland@gmail.com

Happy Holidays from Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. of Beltsville, MD

Happy Holidays to everyone from the team at Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. of Beltsville, MD. Now that 2011 is coming to a close many of us are running around frantically preparing for parties, events, and family gatherings as well as handling all sorts of end of the year business. That's right tax time is right around the corner. Are you prepared? Do you have all of your documentation together for your tax preparer? Did you get every tax credit that you possibly could? The tax laws change every year and there are some great energy tax credits that are set to expire at the end of 2011. Energy efficient replacement windows are one of many home improvements that can often be completed in just a day or two once the product is delivered. Perhaps you use the New Year as motivation to plan improvement projects in your home. There is no time like the present to begin thinking about how you can make your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and perhaps most importantly in this economy more valuable. Speaking of ways to make your home comfortable purging unused items is an excellent way to do this. Many non-profit organizations receive the majority of their annual contributions during the holiday season. Your donations benefit you in numerous ways. You get unused items out of your home thereby recovering valuable space. You get great tax benefits so make sure you save any receipts you get for donated items. Most importantly you help those in need. We at Nations encourage you to load up that car or truck and donate your unused treasures to help those less fortunate and do it quickly, time is running out. A quick internet search will help you find your local non-profit organizations that are seeking household goods. This holiday season please consider taking some time to assist those in need while reaping tremendous benefits for yourself in the process. For a more information about Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. please visit our website at: http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net or call us at 1-800-646-2846

Feedback from an Insurance Adjuster

Hail damaged roof

Hail damaged siding

Late last night we received some rather negative feedback from someone who is apparently an independent insurance adjuster in response to our previous blog post (which I have since updated). Apparently this individual found our post offensive in that it lumped all insurance companies and adjusters together. I did attempt to respond directly to the feedback but apparently I have an incorrect phone number and e-mail address for the adjuster. After reading our post over again I have decided to provide some additional comments about the homeowners insurance industry. Hopefully these additional comments may provide a more accurate representation of what our reality is in dealing with adjusters and insurance companies. The vast majority of insurance adjusters approve or deny claims according to guidelines set by the insurance company they are working for either as employees or as independent adjusters. Adjusters are not trained to ignore damage and are in fact trained to look for true damage. The individual adjusters are not setting policy and guidelines as they go but are rather following corporate directives that they may or may not personally agree with. It is true that insurance adjusters are usually trained to minimize payouts to homeowners but this is not as bad as it sounds and requires some clarification. There is a major difference between true damage and perceived damage and there is also a difference between new damage and pre-existing damage. The insurance adjuster is trained to protect the financial assets of the insurance company which would mean that if something were in doubt they will usually err on the side of claim denial.  For example a hail storm occurs in a neighborhood where a 12 year old roof is struck by hail. In looking at this particular roof the adjuster has the difficult task of determining whether this home was damaged by the recent hail storm or by prior hail events possibly occurring many years ago. If this neighborhood had numerous hail events in the past 12 years a denial may occur based on the likelihood that this roof had pre-existing damage. For most homeowners this is where the story ends. A reputable, licensed, local contractor can often help the claim get a second look from the insurance company. An additional meeting will usually be scheduled with an insurance recovery expert working for the contractor, an insurance adjuster, and possibly even an engineer with training specific to the claim. In some cases the claim will remain in a denied status but in many cases the roof claim may now gain an approval. Ideally a homeowner would contact the contractor for a free hail damage assessment before contacting the insurance company to file the initial claim. When the contractor is contacted first the homeowner can avoid filing a claim where an approval is unlikely. Contractors that specialize in insurance restoration work gain nothing by encouraging a homeowner to file a claim that will be denied. The insurance company wins in that no claim gets filed if there is no damage, no adjusters meetings get scheduled, and significant costs are not incurred. Even when claims are approved and damage is verified which is more likely to occur if an expert contractor is present it is still more cost effective for all involved if this happens in a single adjusters meeting. The homeowner wins by knowing what if any damage is present (something they cannot usually determine on their own). The contractor wins in that they have made contact with a new client for an insurance restoration project or for a future home improvement project. The truth of the matter is that we at Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. have a great working relationship with the vast majority of adjusters we encounter throughout the State of Maryland. My apologies if the prior post, including the cartoons, and opening joke offended anyone in the insurance industry. If anyone values the service of insurance adjusters it is Nations Home Remodelers, Inc.. I would love to hear from those in the insurance industry and welcome your feedback on topics such as "Choosing a Contractor" or "What to expect from the insurance claims process". I look forward to incorporating your comments/feedback into future posts so that all involved may become better educated on the process as a whole. We can be reached via e-mail at nhrmaryland@gmail.com on the web at http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net or by phone at 1-800-646-2846.

Why Replace Your Windows?

Windows maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Windows keep the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. To maximize the benefits of your homes windows, it is important to have well sealed, efficient, and double paned glass windows. The benefits of quality windows are endless, and may include rebates from your local utility or energy supplier and tax credits with the federal and local governments. Replacement windows improve the appearance and value of your home and save you money over the long haul.

1. Rebates from local utility companies may be given for new, energy efficient windows. For more information try contacting your local utility to obtain specific details on these energy incentives. Incentives may save you hundreds of dollars per year.

2. Utility bills often decline substantially with good quality windows. Quality windows ensure that your home uses less gas/electricity to heat your home. New windows will often pay for themselves in utility cost reductions alone.

3. Cracked and broken windows are dangerous year round but become even more dangerous once winter arrives, as the glass becomes brittle and cold. If you have children in the home, they are in great danger if they play or sleep in a room with old damaged windows. Poorly sealed old windows allow outdoor pollutants easier access to your home. Indoor air is already substantially more polluted than outdoor air. Poorly sealed windows only increase the pollution in your home.

4. Replacement windows are better for the environment. Windows that are energy efficient use less natural gas and electricity. Using less natural gas and electricity decreases greenhouse gases emitted into the environment, thereby protecting our planet from global warming.

5. Many old windows are made of dangerous materials. Old windows may contain lead paint or other hazardous materials. These materials are dangerous for children and adults alike. Upgrading your windows will not only reduce energy bills and enhance the appearance of your home, it may also protect your health.

6. Inefficient windows often leak. Leaking windows allow water to come into your home, both in front and behind the walls. Water is one of the most destructive forces in nature. Mold is a dangerous by product of moisture entering your home. Leaking windows can be detrimental to your family’s health and the resale value of your home.

7. Old windows are commonly single paned. Double paned windows lock out more moisture and cold than old, single paned windows. These old windows often freeze open or shut, and they feel icy to the touch. Single paned windows are known to develop frost on the inside of the window which increases the chance of breakage.

8. Old windows usually mean old sealing. Old sealing lets in moisture and leads to mold which puts your family and your home in danger. Mold can spread quickly throughout your entire home and in some cases has the potential to be life threatening.

9. Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. is offering Maryland residents substantial discounts on new energy efficient windows. See Nations Home Remodelers Special Offers for more information.

10. New windows are aesthetically pleasing. Whether you are renovating or painting the outside of your home, windows instantly perk up the aesthetics of your house.

11. The neighborhood kid is working on his pitching arm. Leaving you with a broken glass. At least now you have a new baseball.

If you are simply looking to enhance the safety, security and overall health of your home, new windows offer countless benefits. New windows will increase the value of the home and assist in obtaining a higher resale value, which is critical in today’s real estate market.

Better Business Bureau advice on hiring a home improvement contractor

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. wants to make sure you make an informed decision when choosing a contractor to work on your home. We have over 20 years in business as a locally owned and operated company. We are in good standing with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and we are accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Our goal is your complete satisfaction. Please see the below article from the Better Business Bureau website about choosing a contractor to work on your home. After you get a better understanding of how important it is to do business with a reputable, licensed, and insured contractor we hope you will choose Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. to take care of your home. We can be reached at 301-847-8800 or via the web at Nations Home Remodelers Home Page

Planning Your Project

Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should carefully plan your project from start to finish. For example, if your project involves a room addition, determine exactly what your needs are, how the room is to be used, and what you want the completed job to look like. It is a good idea to coordinate your color schemes and draw a simple floor plan using miniature tables and chairs to lay out the room arrangement.

Be specific in explaining to the contractor what you want, and be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved in the remodeling job before the contractor begins the work.

Hiring a Contractor

It is extremely important to compare costs before making a financial commitment toward any home improvement project. You should solicit at least two or three bids from prospective contractors—bids based upon the same building specifications, materials, labor, and time needed to complete the project.

Discuss bids in detail with each contractor, making certain you understand the reasons for any variations in the prices. Do not automatically choose the lowest price. One contractor's bid might be higher because the materials to be used are of a better quality or because the work will be especially thorough and, therefore, require more time and labor.

Ask the remodeling contractor for local references and find out if these customers were satisfied with the contractor's work. If possible, visit and inspect their completed projects.

Find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association which has standards or a code of ethics for remodelers.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn how long a contractor has been in business and if the firm has been responsive to any complaints filed with the BBB.

Another important matter to consider before hiring a contractor deals with insurance. Ask the contractor if the company is insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents. Then call to verify the contractor's insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.

Finally, check with your state, county, or city housing authority to see if the contractor must meet certain licensing and/or bonding requirements in your area. If so, make sure your contractor is properly licensed and bonded. Never pay a contractor for the entire job in advance and avoid paying in cash whenever possible.

Home Improvement is not an exact science. Expensive hidden problems can be uncovered once work has begun.

Financing Your Project

To obtain financing for your home improvement project you may want to consider a personal or bank loan, a home equity loan, a loan from your credit union or insurance company, or a loan from a savings and loan institution. While your contractor may be able to assist you in securing the needed financing, it is important that you investigate the various sources of funding and compare the amounts, interest rates, terms, and tax considerations.

If you cannot pay for a home improvement project without a loan, it is a wise idea to put a clause in your contract with the remodeler stating that the agreement is valid only if financing is obtained.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans for home improvements are available through certain banks and other lending institutions. However, FHA requires that the lender approve any contractor associated with the loan request and will not guarantee the work or the contractor. Be wary of any contractor who tells you that he/she has been approved or endorsed by the FHA.

If your home improvement project results from an accident or natural disaster that is covered by insurance, check with your insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before signing a contract to have the damages repaired.

Getting a Building Permit

Building codes are established by most cities, towns, and counties and may vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another. Your contract should state that the work is performed in accordance with all applicable building codes and zoning regulations in the area where you reside.

A building permit is generally required when performing structural work or when a home’s basic living area is changed. Separate permits for electrical, heating, or plumbing work are required in some cases. Check with your local department of licensing and permits when starting a job to learn if a building or work permit is required.

If the project does, in fact, require a building permit, the contractor should apply for it in his or her name. Thus, if the contractor's work does not pass inspection, you cannot be held financially responsible for any corrections that must be made. Terms regarding the application of any permits should be outlined in the written contract.

When a government agency issues a permit for home improvement work, it will inspect the work when that work has reached a certain stage to make sure it complies with various codes and regulations. It is the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for these inspections.

Contract Negotiations

Terms and Conditions: All agreements and oral promises regarding a home improvement project should be put in writing to protect both the customer and the contractor. If you intend to do some of the work yourself or hire another contractor to do it, such terms should be written into the contract as well. The written contract should also include:

A thorough description of the work to be done—specifying all materials to be used in terms of quality, quantity, weight, color, size, brand name, etc.;

Agreed upon starting and completion dates;

Total cost, with a breakdown of labor and material charges;

A payment schedule;

Any warranties and guarantees of workmanship;

The method for debris and material removal once the job is finished; and

A clause which states your right to cancel the contract within three business days if you sign it in your home or at a location other than the contractor’s permanent place of business. This clause should also state that the contract is null and void or will be renegotiated if the job uncovers unexpected or hidden problems or damage after work has begun.

In addition, make sure the written contract includes:

The contractor's full name

Address

Telephone number

Professional license number

Never sign a partial or blank contract. Read every contract clause carefully and ask any questions you may have before signing. Retain a copy of the contract once it is signed, and file it in your records.

You should make every attempt to pay a minimal or no downpayment for supplies or services; especially if you have not done business with a contractor in the past. You should not make any payments for incomplete work. Schedule payments at weekly or monthly intervals or after completion of each phase of the project. All of these terms should be spelled out in the contract and clearly understood by both you and the contractor.

Cancellation Rights: When you sign a home improvement contract in your home and in the presence of a contractor or contractor's representative, you have three business days in which to change your mind and cancel the contract. The contractor is required to tell you about your cancellation rights and provide you with any cancellation forms. If you cancel, it is recommended that a notice of cancellation be sent to the contractor by certified mail, with a return receipt request.

Never make final payment or sign an affidavit of final release until you are satisfied with the work done and know that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.

Lien Protection: For a large remodeling job that involves several subcontractors and a substantial financial commitment, you should protect yourself from liens against your home if the primary contractor does not pay his or her subcontractors or suppliers. You may do this by adding a release-of-lien clause to the contract or by placing your payments in an escrow account until the work is completed.

Warranty Clause: Any warranty offered on products by the contractor should be in writing and scrutinized carefully. Make certain you understand all the terms and conditions, including the length of the warranty. The warranty must state whether it is a FULL warranty that gives the consumer certain automatic rights or a LIMITED warranty that restricts certain consumer rights.

Quick Check List

Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should do the following: 

Plan your project from start to finish.

Be specific in explaining exactly what you want.

Be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved before the contract work begins.

Compare costs before making a financial commitment.

Discuss bids in detail with each contractor.

Ask the contractor for local references and find out if he or she is a member of a professional remodelers association.

Contact your Better Business Bureau to learn how long a contractor has been in business.

Find out if a contractor is insured against claims covering worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability.

Check with state, county, or city housing authorities to be sure that a contractor meets all area licensing/bonding requirements.