Construction and Restoration Archives • Classic Construction

Does My Insurance Company Cover Flooding Damage in Dallas, Texas and What To Look For

August 26, 2022

Does My Insurance Company Cover Flooding Damage?

During this time of year, flooding in Texas is very common due to all the storms that constantly stir up. When it comes to flood damage coverage in Dallas and the Forth Worth area, you might be wondering “will my insurance company cover flooding damage and the repairs needed?” Read on to learn when flood damage is covered, and when it isn’t, and also learn about delayed insurance claims and misallocated funds that may arise.

When Flood Damage Is Covered By Insurance

Flood damage is only covered by insurance in a small percentage of cases and typically this is when the water damage is the direct result of a flood. Additionally, it is more often only when there is a sudden increase of water, which in most cases flooding is a gradual event. So you may find that you do not have the coverage for the damage caused by flooding. It is a great idea to take a look at your insurance policy to see the terms when it comes to water damage specifically. If you do not see the coverage you may want to consider adding on flooding or water damage insurance to your policy before the next downpour happens.

Delayed Insurance Claims & Misallocated Funds

When natural disasters are at play, sometimes it impacts so many individuals that it then creates a situation where many owners are waiting long periods of time for their restoration work to be funded. Keep in mind that even though your insurance company may be paying for the work – it may take longer than expected for the work to begin and for the project to be completed.

Another common and unfortunate scenario to be cautious of when insurance claims are covered is misallocated funds – the owner will receive the funds from the insurance company and secure the restoration project that may have water damage, etc. Although the initial invoices for the DFW general contractor for the project get paid, the following don’t – why? The owner instead used the funds for personal purchases and the project is incomplete.

When Flood Damage Isn’t Covered By Insurance

Your commercial property insurance plan may not include flood insurance; in fact, most policies don’t. If your multifamily property, warehouse, or other commercial property experienced flash flood damage during our record-setting rainfall this August, you may be out of luck as it would be considered an “act of god.” The good news is, that you can purchase a separate flood policy, which might seem like an extra expense, but in the face of flood damage, it may save you money down the road. The SBA or FEMA would possibly be an avenue for getting repayment for flood-related damages, but those payouts can come slowly and with many hoops to jump through before you ever see that payout.

In response to the flood damage coverage in Dallas fort worth, many flash flood residents and businesses continue to battle insurance agencies. Though the battle is hard, it may not be the end-all when it comes to getting covered for the DFW water damage. When the work isn’t covered, FEMA may be able to help support your recovery from the flood. Contact Classic Construction and Restoration for free damage estimates.

College Students: Working In Construction & Building Your Future

August 5, 2022

How To Build Your Future By Working In Construction

Building a career can sometimes be a frightening thought. How do you actually know that working in construction will be where your future is? At Classic Construction, we make it our priority to close the barrier between curiosity and fear of the future. Creating a career in construction starts with building a team that you grow to call a family as well as building knowledgeable credibility in your field.

Who Classic is

Here at Classic Construction, we are a family-owned business that offers full-service, professional contractor work in the Dallas, Forth-worth area, and Austin and San Antonio. We pride ourselves in being there for our clients 24/7, offering emergency care in the event disaster strikes a commercial or residential property. Our core values are trust, superior service, quality craftsmanship, experienced and properly trained professionals on deck, and of course respect! Not only do we handle insurance claims, but we also offer various payment options and plans making our services readily available for anyone! That’s why our slogan became: “On Time. On Budget. That’s Classic.”

Career Building Titles

We are always growing, both in the DFW metroplex, as well as in Austin and San Antonio! As our teams grow, we’re looking for Estimators, Project Managers, Account Managers, and more! The construction industry is more than just hammers and nails, it’s finance, its organization, its team leading – and every day is different. Our team members use their skillsets to work directly with clients, Classic departments, and outside organizations.

Growth Opportunities

Classic Construction provides opportunities to help you build your career path with jobs that allow plenty of room for growth. With some of the top career-building titles that we’ve mentioned, you can look to build skills in customer service, B2C and B2B sales, project management, and proficiency in a wide variety of software applications.

Functionally, you’ll learn more about construction projects and the industry itself – providing a breadth of information that will allow you to get more insight than in any other field. You’ll even gain more practical skills as you learn different phases of the construction process, how homeowners and commercial builders approach adverse events, and how to build relationships with customers who lean on you to help them throughout their project(s).

As you can see here at Classic there are a plethora of opportunities for your to succeed both while you’re in college and after. We are always accepting applications for all of our positions so don’t hesitate to apply today. Whether you’re looking for something to help with college expenses or a lifelong career we’ve got the right position for you! We’ll train you from the ground up just like we build our biggest projects, with a strong foundation, walls to hold you up, and a roof to protect you but not hold you down. When you’re ready drop a resume by our office!

HOA Maintenance Plan Series: Predictive Planning

July 29, 2022

Predictive HOA Maintenance Planning

When it comes to HOA maintenance planning and predictive planning, there are many different aspects to be on the lookout for. Being able to spot things such as cracks in walls, or water stains on ceilings are just a few examples of “smaller” issues that can be a sign of a significant problem that something is wrong. Read on to learn all the different signs to look out for not only internally, but externally as well to keep your property in top shape for your residents.

Building Interior Monitoring

To ensure a successful predictive plan for your HOA maintenance, you must build an interior monitoring system to make sure any potential problems will never become a problem. To forecast and anticipate possible concerns in the interior of your home, you need to have consistent maintenance checks on floors, walls, ceilings, and any other building interior aspects of your home.

Exterior Monitoring

Areas to monitor on the exterior of your buildings include residence and clubhouse/office roofs, siding, brick, stucco, or other exterior wall material, windows, foundation, and doors. You may also have external plumbing elements such as pipes and electrical components like fuse boxes. Because harsh weather, hail, freezing temperatures, and the hot Texas sun can degrade materials, it makes sense to frequently walk the exterior of your buildings for cracks, fading, or chipped pieces. It’s normal for exterior elements to wear out quickly, and planning for it can help prevent damage to the interior of your buildings. Water, rodents, insects, and grime are able to make their way inside your property when external damage happens.

Grounds Monitoring

Retaining walls, signage, pools, and other community amenities are all prone to cracks and other issues that can start with a small problem that can become significant and costly problems.

Because these amenities are often overlooked and ignored, they should also be first on the list of a predictive maintenance plan as we’ve found that they’ve also been some of the largest to hit HOA budgets when not given proper forward-thinking attention.

Being proactive allows any potential problems to be observed and immediately repaired – preventing costly repairs, replacements, and dissatisfied resident displacements. Now that you know what to look out for when it comes to predictive planning, keep checking back soon for more on this HOA maintenance plan series.

HOA Maintenance Plan Series: Preventative Protection

July 22, 2022

Preventative HOA Maintenance Plan

One of the biggest hurdles that any HOA company faces is maintenance. In most cases, it’s more reactive or just general upkeep of the property. However preventative maintenance can help keep your property in top shape while keeping your budget low. The more you can plan, the better it will be in the long run. Not only for you but also for your residents as it can help you spot small issues before they become big, costly, problems. Read on to learn more about why incorporating an HOA Maintenance plan should be on your to-do list.

Predictable Budget Planning

Planning and budgeting for predictable situations as an HOA are crucial when trying to stay on top of potential issues as they arise. Having an integrated plan for budgeting is key for proactively addressing your property’s maintenance needs. Keeping track and making a list of all maintenance-related information as well as the cost, is a good idea to see what might need your attention next. That way you can estimate and budget for any and all of those future maintenance needs. A reactive approach can ultimately save you money in the long run, which is good for those last-minute situations.

Avoiding and Reducing Costs

Having a well and properly-maintained property should have components that last more than a decade and many property owners and HOAs are content with that longevity. However, imagine having a property that has a preventative maintenance plan that allows components that can last nearly two decades – the cost savings are significant and the residents will be more than content with the state of their surroundings.

Being proactive with repairs and identifying possible issues with components can be three to nine times less expensive than being reactive. This approach prevents a significant headache while preventing major work down the line.

Crisis situations occur all too frequently within associations because of the neglect to take preventative protection when it comes to maintenance. Ensure that you are proactive, rather than reactive can make a much better effect on addressing future property maintenance. If you are interested in learning more about different HOA maintenance plans for your associations, check back here soon for more to come.

Fact or Fiction: DIY Myths and Misconceptions

July 15, 2022

DIY Myths and Misconceptions About Construction

We all watch HGTV and see people knocking down walls and building their dreams! For those who want to renovate their homes or commercial properties or start flipping houses, but don’t have a ton of start-up cash to hire professionals, DIY might seem like a dream option. What you don’t see is what happens behind the scenes on these shows and the professional crew that supplements TV DIYers. Read on as we dispel some DIY myths and misconceptions.

It’s Cheaper & Faster

Two of the most common myths and misconceptions about DIY projects is that they will be cheaper and faster. Which is far from the truth. In fact, more times than not it can take the average person twice as long to complete the task at hand instead of hiring a professional contractor team. Not only are contractors trained for this, but they work together to get the job done with quality and efficiency.

Buying your own materials online to “save time” puts you at a few risks that aren’t worth it. When you buy online you are taking on all the risks to verify everything including every little detail yourself. And unless you do hours and hours of research, the average person might make quite a few mistakes. Thus taking even more time to wait for the right item to come, and try to install it yourself. Contractors know exactly what to look for and take the time to make sure your order is correct and that everything will get to them in a timely manner.

HGTV Makes It Look Easy

Fact-or-Fiction-DIY-Myths-and-Misconceptions — “If you say shiplap on more time…”

After you watch an HGTV remodeling show, you might think “this is something I can do”. What those HGTV shows don’t show you is all the hard work that actually goes into a project such as remodeling, and the endless hours an entire professional crew takes to put into that project. They don’t show the “boring” parts or all the hard labor, only the fun and “easy” side of construction. However, if you want to ensure your project is safely done please always hire a general contractor. Not only can they safely get it done, but can ensure the work will always be top quality.

No Need for Permits

One of the most common misconceptions about DIY is that you can just simply, do it yourself, and not worry about obtaining a permit for the work. This couldn’t be further from the truth! There are a lot of drawbacks to not going through the proper channels when doing any kind of work on your house. Everything from owing back taxes to having issues selling your house as it hasn’t been properly assessed. The best thing to do is hire a professional who can get through all the red tape for you so you don’t have to.

Demo is Fun!

If you’ve watched any show on HGTV you’ve likely seen a “Demo Day” segment and gotten inspired to take your sledgehammer to that annoying wall that blocks the view of your living room from the kitchen. WAIT! Please don’t do that! There are many hidden items inside your walls that you may not be ready to take on. Anything from pipes to critters, to mold, or other hazards can be lurking in your walls. Additionally, all of that demo leads to a mountain of debris that needs to be properly disposed of. On top of all of that, there are laws and regulations surrounding the demolition of your property that you must adhere to.

Do us a favor and contact us before you take a hammer to your walls. In the event, you have already done it and find yourself with a leaking pipe, or worse, we’re available 24/7 for emergency services.

If you’re considering a DIY approach to major renovations or restoration to your commercial property or home, you might want to reconsider and hire a professional team to save you time, money, and headache. You never know what you’ll find lurking in old walls, so for everyone’s sake, call Classic Construction for a free estimate!

Who is Responsible After an Apartment Fire in Texas?

July 8, 2022

Learn Who is Responsible After An Apartment Fire

The now-famous 4th of July fire at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort worth reminds us how important it is to keep a close eye on fire safety this summer. If you are an apartment resident, you might be wondering who is responsible for the damages in the unfortunate event of an apartment fire. The huge number of grass fires sparked by our drought conditions might have you fearful that a neighbor’s misplaced cigarette butt or grill embers might spark a flame that takes out your entire building! If an apartment fire happens in your apartment community, here are things you should know about who is responsible for covering what.

What is the landlord responsible for?

When a fire occurs your first thought might be well my landlord is responsible no matter the cause of the fire, but this isn’t exactly the case. Additionally, the landlord’s insurance is only going to cover the building and surrounding premises but not the contents inside the apartment. However in some cases, the landlord may be responsible for all damages, including to your personal property, and those are outlined below.

Situations where the landlord is responsible due to negligence:

The landlord failed to meet applicable fire code standards.
The landlord had failed to provide or maintain smoke detectors (which are required by law) caused a delay in the discovery of the fire
The landlord stored hazardous material in or around the building that caused or accelerated the fire.
The landlord blocked or allowed a blockage of passageways or emergency exits.

Should you find yourself in one of the above-noted situations then your landlord may be responsible for all the damages caused by a fire in your apartment building. The next step is to contact your renter’s insurance company to have a thorough investigation completed to determine the cause of the fire and find out if the landlord is responsible due to negligence. If the investigation determines that the landlord is responsible then their insurance would cover the cost of the damages due to a fire.

What is the resident responsible for?

As a resident, you might be wondering what you will be responsible for in the unfortunate event of an apartment fire. Although the answer depends based on what was damaged and how the fire started will be a determining factor. Also, making sure you have the right coverage within your insurance plan will be a big factor in this as well. If for example the fire is ruled as your fault due to smoking inside or leaving a hair straightener on, you will be the one held liable.

If it was due to a faulty outlet or worn down apartment appliance, the renter usually isn’t at fault in those instances and the landlord would be the one responsible. If you still aren’t sure who might be held liable in your situation, the best bet will be to contact your insurance provider and discuss the details of your coverage with them.

Maintain Renter’s Insurance

The best safety net for any resident is to ensure that you maintain your renter’s insurance after you purchase it – if you don’t purchase an annual plan, make sure that your monthly plan is up to date and never lapses.

When you have renter’s insurance and an apartment fire causes you to be displaced and/or damages and destroys your belongings, renter’s insurance is what gives you the ability to provide the ability to stay elsewhere and reimburse you and your family for the lost belongings. Living in Texas and the high risk of fires this summer is a great reminder to make sure that your policy has a loss-of-use provision for fire damage.

Ultimately, determining liability for an apartment fire requires each party to understand the cause that initially started the fire. In Texas, it is therefore of most importance to uphold legal options for these unexpected cases of accidents and obtain renters’ insurance for all parties signing the lease.

If your apartment complex experiences fire damage and/or needs emergency services for fire restoration, call Classic Construction for a quick assessment of the building and to begin working on the property and restore it to its original condition safely and quickly just as we have with Richardson Crossing in Richardson, Texas.

Commercial-Code-Inspection-Preventing-Bad-Commercial-Building-Investments

Commercial Code Inspection: Preventing Bad Building Investments

July 1, 2022

Prevent Bad Building Investments by Getting a Commercial Code Inspection

Investing in a commercial property can be exciting in planning for future business. When you find yourself looking into the logistics of what it takes to maintain a new commercial property, permits should be at the top of your list. Unpermitted work can be a daunting flaw in your investment. Thus, causing a huge setback in many of your business plans. Keep reading to learn why you should always get a commercial code inspection done on any property before you purchase.

Lack of Commercial Building Permits Puts You at Risk

Many construction companies operate with a “whatever it takes to get the sale” mindset. Some might even offer to do the work without pulling permits to cut down costs and speed up the construction process. On its face, this might seem like a prudent move, but skipping permits is often a costly mistake.

You might find if the general contractor is willing to skimp on permitting, they’re skimping elsewhere. Unlicensed contractors, uninsured contractors, and untrained contractors. These are huge risks to safety for the workers, your employees, and your customers.
Previous owners skipped on permitting and your building is out of code. This might result in your business being shut down by the city or county, having insurance claims denied when you try to file, or not being able to sell the building at a later date.
You (or the previous owner) want to save on property taxes and don’t pull permits, which might trigger a new assessment. Later, when the property is assessed, your taxes are increased and possibly back taxes will be owed.

What to Ask For When Investing in A Commercial Building

Adding more risk when investing in a commercial building isn’t at the top of any investor’s list. Thus, ensuring that you find a trusted partner to help you navigate and obtain a professional code inspection for the commercial building is a must.

Professionals from our team at Classic Construction are not only well-versed in code compliance for new buildings and reconstruction, but are experts in helping navigate new commercial building investments. This ensures that the property is fully protected from surprises along the way with a professional code inspection.

What to Do If You Find Something Out of Compliance

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of finding something within the building that is out of compliance, the first thing you should do is NOT purchase anything until the situation is resolved and the issue is corrected. The seller should be responsible for bringing the building up to code before ownership is transferred to you. If they are not willing to do so, you might want to walk away from that property. If you choose to purchase it without inspection, you are now the person liable for anything out of compliance.

Reaching out to the building department is another great way to also inform you if there are any open permits on the property. It’s good to note that an outstanding permit that was never properly inspected is just as risky as untrained contractors.

Reach out to us today if you are looking into purchasing a commercial building but aren’t sure if it’s up to commercial code inspection and compliance. Not only is Classic a reputable company, but you can always count on us to get the job done right. On-Time. On Budget. That’s Classic.

Structures to Keep an Eye on for Heat Damage

June 24, 2022

Structures to Keep an Eye on This Summer for Heat Damage

Texas summer heat has its own schedule, as we all know, yet the New Yorkers and Californians relocating here are just starting to figure it out. With the spike in heat and no drop within the grasp of the coming weeks, heat damage is at the brink of every home not being carefully watched. When living in Texas, there are many structures where the heat may affect your property. In this article, we will discuss a few tips and structures to keep an eye on during these extreme heat temperatures.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are structures that hold or retain soil behind it. They range in size from small terraces to hold a yard to large walls to hold up a steeper slope. Retaining walls are made of many materials, including concrete blocks or slabs, wood, rocks, and boulders. Because Texas has such volatile weather including droughts, severe cold snaps, and sudden microbursts, our soil is prone to cracking and moving. We all know what happens to your home foundation when extreme heat strikes, and because retaining walls are similar materials, they can crack, crumble, and fail. This is dangerous as rocks and dirt can hurt people and damage your property. A large rockslide can be devastating.

Sidewalks

During a hot Texas summer, sidewalks have the potential to crack in extreme heat. Whether it’s your walkway or home or building’s foundation, concrete can be a concern when high temperatures arise. Heat causes the soil to contract, which in turn can cause damage and crack to surfaces like concrete. During extended heat waves, cracks can form and spread if left unattended. That’s why regularly checking for signs of damage is crucial when preserving your concrete during the summer.

Monument Signs

Whether your monument sign is fully concrete or contains some metal or acrylic elements, all can fall prey to extreme heat in the summer. As with retaining walls and sidewalks, keeping an eye for cracks in the base and surrounding areas of the signage is key to preventing further damage as the summer progresses. Gaps in brick and rock can also begin to form, putting the structure at risk for more damage.

Acrylic pieces within monument signs are a bit different than structural damage. One key issue to look for includes trim caps in channel letters that will break down over time with exposure to heat. Warping and discoloration are also very common with acrylic signage and few preventative measures can be taken aside from purchasing replacement pieces ahead of time to swap when the heat damage is highly noticeable.

Texas heat can cause havoc in places that you least expect it! When it comes to walls, sidewalks, and signs the best defense is early detection. It’s best to have a professional assess and repair any damages caused by the high heat. Contact us today for a maintenance inspection or if you see any signs of damage on your property. Here at Classic, we offer free inspections of your commercial and residential properties to look out for the early signs of damage and fix them quickly.

Can My Hail Damage Deductible Be Waived or Is It a Red Flag?

June 10, 2022

Can My Hail Damage Deductible Be Waived?

Living in North Texas means dealing with heavy and constant hailstorms during the storm seasons. With hail damage to your residential or commercial property being at risk during each heavy storm, owners begin to raise questions about whether the damage can be waived or if it is a potential red flag. If you are wondering if your hail damage deductible can be waived, keep reading this article. We discuss who is responsible for hail damage, what can be considered a “red flag,” and how to appropriately report fraud.

Who is responsible?

We’re just going to put this straight – the homeowner is responsible for any and all deductibles that are part of his or her insurance plan. As of 09/01/2019 per Texas law, the state “requires property owners to pay the full insurance deductible they agreed to pay in their property insurance policy”. If someone comes knocking on your door offering a deal that includes your deductible, this should be a red flag for you! Here at Classic, we always ensure that we are following all Texas laws and regulations when it comes to repairs on your home or commercial property. Keep reading to spot the companies that don’t.

A Contractor Red Flag

Many contractors who purport to waive the deductible may either fraudulently report the costs incorrectly to your insurance company and/or cut corners by using lower-quality materials for your hail damage repair that keeps their costs low, provide a low-quality repair, and their pockets full.

At the end of the day – the insurance company will confirm that you paid your deductible before your claim is paid by asking for proof (a canceled check and/or credit card statement with the deductible amount). If the contractor “waived” your deductible – then you may be liable for fraud.

Reporting fraud

You may be tempted to call back a company that leaves a flyer claiming to pay your deductible as a means to save some cash, but for the reasons above, you probably want to steer clear! If you receive an offer from a company and something feels off, you should trust your gut! You can go so far as to report fraud to the National Insurance Crime Bureau to open an investigation. Typically, companies that make this offer are fly-by-night operators that are looking to profit from your distress after severe weather and major roof damage.

We’ve explained why you should never hire a contractor claiming to pay your deductible for roof repairs for a few reasons, including staying within the bounds of the law! Contact Classic for a reliable commercial and residential roofing contractor. Not only are we honest and trustworthy, but we have many years of experience under our belt, especially when it comes to hail damage. If you have further questions about when you as a homeowner are responsible for paying any and all deductibles reach out to us today for more information.

Retaining Wall and Monument Sign Maintenance for Your Property

May 20, 2022

Retaining Wall and Monument Sign Maintenance Tips and Tricks

When it comes to sloped or terraced properties, nothing is quite as handy as a retaining wall. Not only are they gorgeous and add a brilliant aesthetic to the yard, but they are quite practical and useful at helping you utilize your outdoor space. We wanted to share some tips and tricks when it comes to retaining wall and monument sign maintenance, as well as share the importance of keeping up with your commercial and residential properties’ wall and monument signs.

The Importance of Maintaining Walls and Monument Signs

When it comes to your property retaining walls can come in handy to help hold up the earth (aka dirt) and block it from sliding down when any part of the property is at the end of a decline. Monument signs give a beautiful way to showcase your property and are often found at the entrance to subdivisions. They also help future residents and visitors find your property when driving down the road. Naturally, both of these features provide essential uses to your property which is why proper maintenance is also essential. The last thing you’d want is a retaining wall or monument sign to come crumbling down causing havoc on your property and creating a hazard for residents. At the first signs of wear give us a call so we can come out and inspect and repair any defects before they become bigger problems.

Inspecting Retaining Walls

Inspecting and retaining walls are necessary when it comes to proper maintenance. Checking for gaps in stones themselves as well as cracks in the mortar between them is a good start. Cracks and missing mortar will only get worse with time, so making sure those are properly inspected and maintained are crucial when it comes to walls. Another thing to look for is bulges in the wall. If you notice this is happening and some sections are bowing out, this means the soil is shifting and can cause critical damage in the near future. If you notice this, you should contact a professional as soon as possible so they can help resolve this issue immediately.

Tips on How to Maintain Walls & Signs

Maintenance of walls is important and should be checked at least every quarter. If there are any weeds visible in-between areas of the retaining wall, make sure to remove those by the root as they will continue to multiply and separate the wall over time (despite looking nice in some cases).

If you see any slight settling, surface wear, rotation, or bulging of retaining walls or monument signs, the best next move is to call your partnered construction company to evaluate it for any preventative maintenance to keep the issue from worsening.

There are some preventative measures you can take for retaining walls and monument signs including surface treatments, but make sure to check in and verify any treatments with your partnered construction company in order to be sure you have the right treatment for your surface(s).

Don’t wait until the last moment when it comes to sloping or terraced properties. Consistency maintenance of retaining walls is critical to keeping a healthy commercial or residential property. So whether you need to repair an existing structure or you’d like to add a retaining wall to your property, we can help. Contact us today to get a quote and see how we can transform your property.