How Southern Restoration Works and What to Expect From the Process

Southern Restoration handles roofing damage through inspection, documentation, and direct work with insurance companies

Southern Restoration is a roofing contractor based in South Carolina that specializes in storm damage and insurance claims. The company inspects roofs, documents damage with photographs and reports, and works directly with homeowners' insurance carriers to process claims. They handle the full scope of repair or replacement work once a claim is approved.

The process typically begins with a free inspection. A Southern Restoration representative visits your home, examines the roof for damage from wind, hail, or other weather events, and creates a detailed damage report. This report becomes the foundation for your insurance claim. The company then coordinates with your insurance adjuster, providing documentation that supports the claim amount.

Southern Restoration bills the insurance company directly for approved work. This means you are not paying out of pocket for the repair itself, though you remain responsible for your deductible. The company handles scheduling, materials, labor, and cleanup once the claim is approved.

Key Takeaways

• Southern Restoration provides free roof inspections and creates damage documentation that supports insurance claims.
• The company works directly with your insurance carrier, so the insurer pays for approved repairs rather than you paying upfront.
• You pay your insurance deductible; Southern Restoration covers the rest of the approved repair cost.
• The timeline from inspection to completed work depends on insurance approval speed, which varies by carrier and claim complexity.
• Southern Restoration operates in South Carolina and focuses on storm damage, hail damage, and weather-related roof failures.

What happens during the initial inspection

When you contact Southern Restoration, you schedule a free inspection at your home. A trained inspector examines your roof from the ground and, if necessary, from above. They look for missing shingles, granule loss, cracked or curled shingles, flashing damage, and structural issues that indicate weather damage.

The inspector photographs the damage and creates a written report that details what they found, where it is located, and why it requires repair or replacement. This report is not a repair estimate—it is a damage assessment designed to support an insurance claim. The company provides you with a copy and typically sends one directly to your insurance company if you authorize it.

This inspection is free whether or not you decide to move forward with Southern Restoration for repairs. Many homeowners use this step to understand what damage exists before filing a claim.

How the insurance claim process works with Southern Restoration

Once you have the damage report, you file a claim with your homeowners insurance. You provide the insurer with the Southern Restoration report, photographs, and your own description of the damage. Your insurance company then assigns an adjuster to inspect the roof independently.

Southern Restoration coordinates with your adjuster during this stage. They may attend the adjuster's inspection to answer questions about the damage and explain why repairs are necessary. This coordination helps ensure the adjuster understands the full scope of the problem and approves a claim amount that covers the work.

If the insurance company approves the claim, they issue payment authorization. Southern Restoration then schedules the repair or replacement work. If the claim is denied or approved for less than expected, you have the option to dispute the decision, hire a different contractor, or pay for repairs out of pocket.

What you pay and what insurance covers

Your homeowners insurance policy includes a deductible—typically $500 to $2,500, though it varies by policy. You pay this amount out of pocket. Southern Restoration bills your insurance company for everything above the deductible, up to the approved claim amount.

If the approved claim amount is less than the total repair cost, you have a gap. Some homeowners pay this gap themselves. Others dispute the claim or seek a second opinion from another contractor. Southern Restoration can advise you on your options, but the final decision is yours.

If the repair cost is less than the approved amount, the insurance company typically pays only what the work actually costs, not the full approved amount. You do not receive the difference.

Timeline from inspection to completed work

The inspection itself takes one to two hours. Southern Restoration usually provides the damage report within a few days. Filing your insurance claim and waiting for the adjuster's inspection typically takes one to three weeks, depending on your insurance company's workload and the severity of damage in your area.

Once the claim is approved, Southern Restoration schedules the repair work. For a simple repair, work may begin within days. For a full roof replacement, scheduling depends on material availability and the company's current workload. Actual repair or replacement work typically takes one to three days, depending on roof size and complexity.

The total timeline from your first inspection to a completed roof can range from three weeks to two months or longer if there are delays in insurance approval or material delivery.

What to do if your claim is denied or underfunded

If your insurance company denies the claim or approves less than you expected, you have several options. You can request a detailed explanation from your insurer and ask them to reconsider. You can hire an independent adjuster (also called a public adjuster) to review the claim and negotiate on your behalf, though they typically charge a percentage of any additional payout.

You can also obtain a second damage assessment from another roofing contractor and submit that report to your insurance company as additional evidence. Southern Restoration can advise you on this process, but they cannot represent you in a dispute with your insurer.

If you decide not to pursue the claim further, you can pay for repairs out of pocket with any contractor of your choice, or you can leave the damage unrepaired. Leaving roof damage unrepaired can lead to water damage, mold, and structural problems over time.

Questions to ask Southern Restoration before hiring them

Before committing to Southern Restoration for repairs, ask whether they are licensed and insured in South Carolina. Confirm that they carry workers' compensation insurance and general liability coverage. Ask for references from recent customers and verify their Better Business Bureau rating if one exists.

Ask what happens if the insurance company denies the claim or approves less than the damage report suggests. Clarify whether they will still perform the work if you pay out of pocket, and what their pricing would be in that scenario. Ask about their warranty on materials and labor, and get the warranty terms in writing.

Ask how they handle disputes with insurance companies and whether they have experience appealing denied claims. Ask about their timeline for scheduling work once a claim is approved, and whether they can provide a written contract before work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Southern Restoration if they inspect my roof?

No. The inspection is free, and you are not obligated to hire them for repairs. You can use the damage report they provide to file a claim with any contractor, or to handle the claim yourself. You can also get a second inspection from another company.

What if Southern Restoration's damage report and my insurance adjuster's assessment don't match?

This happens sometimes. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and may approve a lower amount than a contractor's assessment suggests. You can request a detailed explanation from your adjuster, hire a public adjuster to review the claim, or obtain a second damage assessment from another contractor and submit it to your insurer.

Can Southern Restoration help if my claim was already denied?

Yes. They can provide a new damage assessment that you can submit to your insurance company as additional evidence. They can also advise you on whether the damage appears to be weather-related (which insurance typically covers) or age-related (which it typically does not). However, they cannot overturn an insurance company's decision.

What if I can't afford my deductible?

Your deductible is your responsibility to your insurance company, separate from the repair work itself. Some contractors offer financing options or payment plans. Ask Southern Restoration whether they offer this. You can also explore personal loans or credit options, but these are separate from the insurance claim process.

How do I know if the repair work is done correctly?

Ask Southern Restoration for a written warranty on their labor and materials. Before they leave, walk the roof with them (or ask them to show you photographs) to confirm all damage has been addressed. Ask them to provide documentation of the work completed, including what materials were used and where. If problems appear later, contact them within the warranty period to request repairs.