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612-433-0000 A Real Person Answers
Smart Builders Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers before you start

Understand the inspection, repair, and restoration process for your home.

Roofing & exterior work

How do I know if my roof has storm damage?

Hail and wind damage is often invisible from the ground — bruised shingles, lifted tabs, and granule loss don't announce themselves. If a storm has passed through your area, the only way to know is a proper inspection. Ours are free, and we document everything we find with photos and video so you can see it for yourself.

What if another contractor or my insurance adjuster already said there was no damage?

It's worth a second look. We regularly inspect roofs where legitimate damage was missed the first time — it's one of the most common situations we encounter. A thorough inspection with photo and video documentation gives you a factual basis for a re-inspection if the damage is real.

What if replacement shingles or siding do not match?

Document the existing material, the available replacement, and the affected areas. Ask your insurer to explain the matching or replacement provisions that apply to your policy and claim. We can provide material information and photos for that discussion; a mismatch alone does not establish coverage for a full replacement.

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most residential roof replacements are completed in one to two days once materials are on site. Complex roofs, premium systems, and multi-trade restorations take longer — we give you a realistic timeline for your specific project before work begins.

How do I know if I need a repair or a full replacement?

After a free inspection, we'll tell you honestly — including when a repair is the right answer. We've come in thousands of dollars below competing estimates by recommending a repair where others quoted a replacement.

What should I look for in a roofing contractor?

Longevity, reviews, licensing, insurance, and manufacturer credentials. Ask how long they have been in business, how many projects they have completed, and what their manufacturer certifications actually are. We are happy to put our 15 years, 3,500+ projects, and A+ BBB rating next to anyone.

Storm damage & insurance

Can I choose my own contractor, or do I have to use one my insurance company recommends?

In Minnesota you generally have the right to choose your own contractor. Your insurer may suggest preferred vendors, but the choice of who works on your home is yours. Check your policy or ask your agent to confirm any specific requirements.

How do I file a claim for storm damage?

Contact your insurer promptly to report suspected storm damage and ask about deadlines and required documentation. Do not delay reporting while waiting for a contractor. We can inspect the exterior, document the findings, prepare a repair scope, and meet the adjuster on site. Your insurer decides coverage under your policy.

What is an insurance scope, and why does it matter?

The scope is the insurer's line-item list of what they have agreed to repair and pay for. Scopes are sometimes incomplete — missing trades, materials, or code-required items. We review every scope against our own inspection and identify legitimate items that are missing, with documentation to support them.

What happens if damage was missed from the initial scope?

A supplement can be submitted — a documented request to add legitimate items the initial scope missed. This is one of the most common situations we handle. Thorough photo and video documentation is what makes a supplement credible.

Will my homeowner's insurance cover the damage?

That depends on your policy and the cause of the damage — no contractor can promise a coverage decision, and you should be wary of any who does. What we can do is make sure your claim is supported by a thorough inspection and complete documentation, so the decision is made on accurate information.

Can siding, gutters, and windows be on the same claim as my roof?

Yes — when the same storm damages multiple parts of your exterior, they are typically part of the same claim. We inspect and document the whole exterior, not just the roof, so nothing is overlooked.

Call us. A real person answers.

Inquiries are typically answered within about five minutes during business hours — by someone who can actually help, not a call center.

Prefer to text? Message us at 612-251-7122