MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
Tornado damage is no joke for any property owner. The age of architectural components in historic properties means the stakes are higher for those responsible for preserving them. Protecting and restoring a historic property after tornado damage requires a careful balance of attention to detail, safety, and accuracy.
The following steps will help historic property owners secure their buildings in the wake of a storm and prepare them for any necessary repairs to preserve both structural integrity and historical detail.
Before beginning any repairs, it’s essential to document all tornado damage — inside and out — with photos and videos. It’s key to be as thorough as possible during this stage by evaluating every element of the property, including roofing, masonry, copper components, and gutters and downspouts. It’s also key to document aesthetic components, even if they don’t directly affect structural stability. Also, be sure to take photos of all surfaces and systems inside and outside your property.
Thorough documentation serves several key purposes. First, it helps streamline the insurance claims process, ensuring funds are available quickly to begin repairs. Additionally, detailed photo and video documentation may be necessary to qualify for historic preservation grants that could offset out-of-pocket restoration costs.
Reviewing insurance policy details and understanding a policy’s specific coverage before filing a claim can help expedite the process. Familiarity with your policy also helps you ask the right questions to maximize financial support from your insurance carrier.
Some questions to consider when reviewing your policy include:
These are important questions to ask when evaluating a potential insurance carrier. Even if you’ve reviewed policies in the past, revisiting them after a storm can help you navigate the claim process more confidently.
A comprehensive inspection — interior and exterior — is critical before starting any repair work. This evaluation ensures all damage is identified and properly documented, which helps create a more accurate and informed restoration plan. It’s vital to choose a qualified historic restoration contractor. Not every contractor has the experience or credentials needed to restore historic properties following tornado damage. Here are a couple of elements to consider when weighing historic restoration contractors.
Verifying that a historic restoration contractor is licensed to operate in your state is perhaps the most important element in choosing a contractor. Inquiring about whether a contractor carries both liability and workers’ compensation coverage protects property owners from financial risks caused by accidents. It’s also important to note that requirements for licensure and insurance coverage can vary by municipality.
Membership to professional organizations demonstrates commitment and dedication, professionalism, and standing within the historic restoration industry. The National Roofing Contractors Association, The National Slate Association, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance, and the Association for Preservation Technologies are major organizations to look for when vetting historic restoration contractors.
This is often overlooked, but partnering with a restoration contractor that has experience in working with insurance companies can significantly streamline the repair process. Knowledge of the claim filing process can make it faster and easier to secure the necessary funds to support repair work.
It may sound obvious, but having a detailed project proposal and scope of work in place before any restoration work begins is essential to ensure repair work is executed correctly and with an eye toward historical accuracy. A detailed project proposal will also outline the materials to be used, the processes or techniques that will be applied, and the necessary safety protocols to facilitate an accident-free restoration process.
It’s also important to make sure a project proposal is thorough, complete with progress benchmarks and project deadlines. This will help ensure the repair work is completed on time, within budget, and with a level of quality that will help preserve a historic property for decades to come.
For example, our Magellan Building Assessment helps chart a clear, collaborative course of action for historically accurate restoration work that makes the property owner a true partner every step of the way. Plus, we have decades of experience in securing historic properties following tornado damage, performing timely and thorough inspections, and coordinating with insurance companies to start repair work as expeditiously as possible.
Contact us today to learn more about our historic restoration services.