09/23/2026
This one makes me emotional even writing this post.
It’s not every day you get a call from a homeowner who is completely defeated because they feel like everyone they trusted during their insurance claim let them down.
But that’s exactly what happened with this family when they called me in November 2025.
They had already been through a contractor, an appraiser, and a PA — and from what I saw when I got involved, the property simply had not been documented the way it needed to be from a construction standpoint.
There were missed items.
There was poor documentation.
And there was a major disconnect between the actual condition of the property and what had been accounted for.
The homeowners ultimately canceled the old claim and filed a new claim based on a different date of loss.
When I became involved, I approached it the same way I approach every customer’s property:
I treat it like it’s my own house.
If something is damaged and belongs in the construction scope, I’m going to document it.
And I mean everything.
I’ll document the roof system, gutters, flashing, accessories, fasteners, measurements, installation requirements — even down to the nails if that’s what it takes.
Why?
Because I want the construction documentation to be so thorough that there are no unanswered questions and no easy back door to ignore legitimate damage or necessary work.
My job isn’t to determine coverage or negotiate someone’s insurance policy.
My job is to document the construction side correctly, explain what is damaged, and show what is actually required to restore the property properly.
Then came another denial.
The homeowners demanded that a second adjuster come inspect the property.
Four weeks later, the claim was approved.
All done, right?
Wrong.
There was still a difference of more than $28,000 between what had initially been accounted for and the construction work needed on the property.
At one point, approximately $8,000 in damage had been recognized.
But the property had documented damage involving the:
• Roof
• Gutters
• Garage door
• Fence
• Window screens
Those items don’t suddenly disappear just because they weren’t included the first time around.
This is exactly why homeowners need to pay attention to who they choose as their insurance carrier and who they choose as their contractor.
Your insurance company is the expert on your policy and coverage.
Your contractor should be the expert on construction, damage documentation, building requirements, proper installation, and the actual cost to restore the property.
And cutting corners because somebody gave you the cheapest number can become extremely expensive later.
Cheap documentation.
Cheap workmanship.
Missed damage.
Improper repairs.
Eventually, somebody pays for it — and too often, it’s the homeowner.
If I wouldn’t accept it on my own house, I’m not going to accept it on yours.
Choose wisely. Ask questions. Hire people who actually document their work.
Because when the job is handled correctly from the beginning, your chances of getting your home properly restored improve dramatically.
This is one of those projects I’ll remember for a long time.
