Protecting Your Home After the Hail

Why “Keeping It Local” Matters More Than Ever in the Ozarks

If you live in the Springfield area, you do not need us to tell you that the spring storm season was incredibly intense. Between the massive hail and the relentless rain that followed, local roofing and siding companies have seen a massive surge in repair requests.

Our team has been out in local neighborhoods every single day helping our neighbors pick up the pieces. Our Field Supervisor, Drew Wolford, was recently featured on OzarksFirst discussing the sheer scale of the damage and how long the recovery process is going to take for our community.

“I’ve been working six days a week doing estimates,” Drew shared in his interview. “This hail is already all the way down through the matting. The homeowner still needs to be aware of that, and pointing stuff out that maybe they didn’t see… or even the adjusters didn’t see. I also have to make sure that I’m taking time, not rushing through, because these homeowners need somebody to talk to about it.”

Because the need for repairs is so high right now, a lot of out-of-state contracting crews, often called “storm chasers,” have flooded into Greene and Christian counties. Stressed-out homeowners are reporting that trucks from as far away as Southern Illinois are roaming neighborhoods dropping off business cards and pushing fast contracts.

While it can be tempting to hire the first person who knocks on your door just to get the process moving, moving too quickly can put your home and your wallet at serious risk. Experts estimate it could take over a year for all the storm damage in the area to be completely repaired. You want to make sure the company you choose today will still be here tomorrow to stand behind their craftsmanship.

Before you sign anything, here are three practical, legal safeguards every Missouri homeowner needs to know to keep their money local and their property protected.

1. Look for a Real Missouri Footprint

Storm chasers follow severe weather patterns across the country. They roll into town, set up a temporary presence, collect quick insurance payouts, and vanish as soon as the work slows down. If a leak or an installation error pops up six months from now, your warranty is effectively useless because the company is operating multiple states away.

Before signing a contract, verify that the company has an established, permanent local brick-and-mortar office, like our shop on College Street. Check that they are actively registered with the Missouri Secretary of State and use permanent local material suppliers. If their trucks are sporting temporary magnetic signs instead of permanent company branding, treat it as a clear warning sign.

2. Understand the Legal Reality of “Free Deductibles”

High-pressure salespeople frequently try to win over homeowners by offering to waive, absorb, or pay their insurance deductible so the roof replacement costs them absolutely nothing out of pocket.

While that sounds like an incredible deal, it is actually completely illegal in our state. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 407.725, residential roofing contractors are strictly prohibited from compensating for a homeowner’s insurance deductible. Any contractor who includes this pitch in their sales process is engaging in a deceptive trade practice under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Accepting a “free deductible” offer exposes both the contractor and you, the homeowner, to severe legal and insurance liability.

3. Insist on the Mandatory “Cancellation Page”

Missouri law heavily protects consumers when it comes to insurance-funded property repairs, but you have to know what to look for in the paperwork.

State law requires that any residential roofing contract funded by property and casualty insurance must include a clearly written, easily detachable “Notice of Cancellation” form printed in bold type. By law, you have the right to cancel the agreement within five business days after you receive written notification from your insurance provider that any part of your claim or contract isn’t covered. If a contractor tries to hand you a binding contract that does not include this duplicate cancellation page, do not sign it.

Take Your Time and Get a Trusted Local Opinion

A lot of hail damage isn’t visible from the ground because it fractures the fiberglass matting deep underneath the shingles. If a remote insurance adjuster did a quick digital or photo assessment from the driveway, there is a very high chance they missed structural bruising that will cause major leaks down the road.

Don’t let out-of-town crews rush or pressure you into a quick contract. Take the time to secure a reliable, local opinion from a company that will actually be here to honor your warranty for years to come.

If you want a thorough, honest look at your roof, you can schedule a complimentary storm damage inspection with Advanced Restorations. Our team is right here on College Street and ready to provide the clear, documented assessment you need to handle your claim with confidence. Fill our our schedule inspection form or give us a call today to get your local inspection on the calendar.