Stay safe and look from the ground
Do not climb ladders or the roof. Walk around the house and look at siding, window wraps, gutters, downspouts and vents.
Plano, TX · after the storm
Hail hit the house. Here is what to do next.
Free storm inspections for siding, trim, gutters and vents — with photos and a line-item scope you can share with your insurance adjuster.
After the storm
Four steps, in this order.
Photograph everything first
Take wide shots of each wall and close-ups of dents, cracks and holes, with the date. Photograph fresh damage before cleaning it.
Check your policy and file promptly
Note your deductible and any deadlines. The Texas Department of Insurance has a plain-English checklist for after the storm.
Get a written, itemized scope
A clear scope helps your adjuster and protects you. Do not sign a contract under pressure or before you can review it calmly.
Common problems
What storm damage looks like.
What you see, what usually causes it and how urgent it is — sorted from “act this week” to “keep an eye on it”.
-
Urgent
Loose or missing panels
- What you see
- Panels hanging open, slipped out of place or blown off — often at corners, gable ends and upper walls after high winds.
- Likely cause
- Wind lifting panels that were not fully locked or fastened, or brittle older vinyl.
- What to do
- Photograph it and note the storm date, keep people away from loose pieces, and get it closed up quickly — the open wall behind lets the next rain straight in.
-
Fix soon
Cracks, holes or chips after hail
- What you see
- Cracked or punctured vinyl, chipped fiber cement edges, dented wood, plus dents in gutters, vents and window wraps.
- Likely cause
- Hail impact. Vinyl is most likely to crack, especially older panels and in cold weather.
- What to do
- Photograph every wall before anything is cleaned, check your policy and file promptly, then get a line-item scope for your adjuster.
Comparing bids
What to compare — and what you get with us.
Put any two siding bids side by side. These are the lines that separate a careful job from an expensive lesson.
| What to compare | With us | Red flag in other bids |
|---|---|---|
| The estimate | Written and itemized: material, weather barrier, flashing, trim, paint, disposal and exclusions, each priced separately. | One lump-sum number, or a price given only verbally. |
| Before the price | We walk every wall and photograph what we find before we price anything. | A price quoted without anyone looking at the walls. |
| Hidden damage | If we find rot behind the old siding, we stop, show you photos and price the repair before continuing. | “We’ll see when we open it up,” with no agreed way to price it. |
| Insurance deductible | We never offer to pay or waive it — that is illegal in Texas. | An offer to “cover” or “eat” your deductible. |
| Decision time | We reply within one business day and give you the scope to review calmly. | Pressure to sign today, or a price that is only good “right now”. |
| When the job is done | A final walk-through, punch-list fixes and a record of products and colors used. | The crew leaves with no final check and no paperwork. |
What hail does to each type of siding
- Vinyl: cracks, punctures and chips — often worse on older or thinner panels and in cold weather.
- Fiber cement: usually resists impact, but look for chipped edges, cracked corners and damaged paint.
- Engineered and natural wood: dents and broken paint film that let water into the wood.
- Everywhere: dented gutters, vents and window wraps are strong evidence that the siding took hits too.
Wind brings its own damage: loose or missing panels, lifted trim and gaps where water can get in during the next storm. Small openings are worth sealing quickly, even before the final repair.
Before you sign with any siding contractor
- Texas has no state license for siding or general contractors — ask which city registrations and permits apply to your job, and who pulls them.
- Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and call the insurer to confirm the policy is active.
- Workers’ compensation is optional for most private employers in Texas — ask whether the crew is covered and how an injury on your property would be handled.
- Get the workmanship warranty in writing: what it covers, for how long and what would void it.
- Manufacturer warranties can depend on correct installation — ask whether the installer is certified by the siding manufacturer and check it on the manufacturer’s website.
- Never pay the full price up front, and walk away from anyone who offers to cover your insurance deductible — that is illegal in Texas.
FAQ
Storm damage questions.
How do I know if hail damaged my siding?
Look for cracks, holes and chips in vinyl, broken paint or dents in wood and fiber cement, and dents in gutters, downspouts and vents. If you are not sure, a free inspection will tell you.
Can a contractor pay my deductible?
No. In Texas it is illegal for a contractor to offer to pay, waive or rebate an insurance deductible. Treat any such offer as a red flag.
What if only part of the house is damaged?
If the original siding can be matched, a partial repair may be enough. If it cannot, discuss matching with your adjuster — a patchwork of old and new siding is a common point of disagreement.
How soon should I file a claim after a hail storm?
As soon as practical. Policies set their own notice requirements and deadlines, and fresh damage is easier to document. The Texas Department of Insurance has a checklist for after the storm.
What does a free storm inspection include?
We check siding, trim, window wraps, gutters, downspouts and vents on every side of the house, photograph the damage and give you a written, line-item scope you can share with your insurance company.
Should I hire a contractor who knocks on my door after a storm?
Take your time. Ask for a local address, references and a written scope, never pay a large amount up front, and walk away from anyone who offers to cover your deductible — that is illegal in Texas.
Plano, TX
Had hail in Plano or Collin County?
Book a free inspection. We will photograph the damage and give you a written, line-item scope.