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Chicago residential roofing - Tips and Tricks for when a Storm is Coming

It is every homeowner’s fear that in the middle of their Chicago residential roofing job a major storm comes through and interrupts the whole process.That process doesn’t always have to include direct harm to your home as a result of the storm; it may be a prolonged delay in the contractor getting back to work. Many Chicago residential roofing contractors participate in emergency programs that make the homes of those who are disabled or elderly a priority after storm damage. You are still on their list of concerns, but the city and state have prioritized the work that they can do. One way to make sure that no matter what happens you are prepared is to be proactive about how you would handle having the work interrupted by a storm.

Tip #1 - Err on the side of caution

If it is storm season, especially if you are on one of the lakefront districts, talk to your contractor about bumping your work up early, or putting it off from starting if there is a major line of storms coming through. A lot of problems occur when owners don’t listen to the suggestion of a contractor to wait a week before beginning because of potential storms. This can save you enormous time, money and headache in the long run. The key to making this a possibility is good planning. Your project schedule should allow for late starts or delays with contract work so it won’t interfere with the next phase. If it doesn’t, look at the schedule again and make sure there is “float time” worked in. That’s what the time to cover the unexpected is called in project management.

Tip #2 - Have a plan with the contractor
A fact of life is that if a storm is coming the contractor will feel that they have adequately prepared the site by covering the staged material and removing their manpower so no one gets injured. As the homeowner, that preparation is going to seem lacking because the roof itself is exposed. Rather than wait and point fingers at who is at fault, clearly define with your contractor what you want done in the event of a storm cancellation. Most exposed roofs can handle a few days of wind and water without significant damage being done, but if there is a potential for major damage in other areas of Chicago that may delay your contractors return, know in advance how they will cover to protect your home until they are back.

Tip #3 - Practice Good Communication
This tip is actually going to help you throughout any Chicago residential roofing project as it just makes everything work better. Practicing good communication with your contractor makes the job go smoother. They need a way to get a hold of you in the event of an emergency so decisions can be made. That emergency may be a major storm, or it could be a miscalculation in roof material - whatever the event, it should not be a big deal for them to call and get someone to talk to who can make a decision. You don’t have to be onsite for the whole job, but you do need to be available.

Tip #4 - Plan your work around the storm season

There may be a lot of reasons why you haven’t been able to get to having a Chicago residential roofing contractor come in until the beginning of the storm season, but that doesn’t mean that is the only time you can have them in. It can be better to delay a project until the season has passed then to taunt Mother Nature. This is not a time to want things done when you want them no matter what. This is a time to engage in responsible planning. Talk to your contractor about when the job should start and go with their advice to avoid trouble.

The key to not becoming a story of interest on the news for the trouble a storm has caused your home is to create good communication and practices with your Chicago residential roofing contractor. They can help you pick the best time for the work, create a plan for what to do if there is a storm, and keep your home and family safe during any rough weather to come. It takes a little planning, but it can save you money and heartache in the end.

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