Attention all Coastal County residents!

If you’re putting on a new roof in an area that’s close to the water, that is, in one of the “coastal counties,” then the work has to be inspected while in progress by the state. When the job is finished, one more “final inspection” is done.

These inspections (and final certification upon approval) are necessary for you to acquire homeowner’s insurance. Your roofer will handle all this for you. (Avoid roofers who downplay this step in getting your roof done.)

If the roof does not pass inspection, then your roofer simply goes back out to your house and fixes whatever the inspector has “called.” This is not uncommon. The inspector will then do “final approval” and you will receive your Windstorm approval certification from the state. (You can go to their website and download it.)

Click here for the Texas Windstorm Dept.of Insurance web page where you can download your certificate. (Please call our office if you need help.)

Be aware that serious problems can and do occur when homeowners, for various reasons, choose roofing companies that are not local to the area to do their repairs. (Even entire roofs have had to be re-done.) These “storm chasers” are here today and gone tomorrow, and are unaware of local required work and installation guidelines.

The best advice: do not shop for price only. Try to use a local company, preferrably someone who’s been around awhile, and knows all the rules for the coastal and “high-wind” areas. Go with a company you feel comfortable with, and not someone who’s sole interest is to just sell you a roof.

Ask for referrals. This is how Ernie Smith & Sons grew over the years. We did good work, and the word got around.