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College Students: Working In Construction & Building Your Future

How To Build Your Future By Working In Construction

College-Students-Working-In-Construction-Building-Your-FutureBuilding 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!

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

Can My Hail Damage Deductible Be Waived?

Can-My-Hail-Damage-Deductible-Be-Waived-or-Is-It-a-Red-FlagLiving 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.

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Don’t Wait to File an Insurance Claim After Hail Damage

dont-wait-to-file-an-insurance-claimDon’t Wait to File an Insurance Claim!

Most homeowners who have recent hail damage on their roofs can file an insurance claim and receive some compensation, yet far too many people fail to do this. Some of them don’t know they even have hail damage on their roofs, while others might not think it’s worth the time and money to have it fixed. However, the most significant reason why so many homeowners don’t file an insurance claim after a storm is that they simply wait too long to act. By the time they realize how severely their roofs have been damaged, it’s too late to receive any compensation from their insurance companies. They must pay for the repairs out of their own pockets, which can get very expensive very quickly.

How Long Can I Wait to File an Insurance Claim for My Damaged Roof After a Hailstorm?

That really depends on your insurance, but most companies allow you up to a year to file a claim. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should wait for several months before taking action. Your best bet is to file a claim as soon as you think your roof has sustained damage in a storm. The damage is still “fresh” at this time, which means it’s unlikely that anything else has caused any further damage. This will make it easier to prove that it was the hail that damaged your roof, and it will be much easier to repair the damage sooner rather than later.

Hail damage can take years to cause roof leaks and many homeowners put off getting an inspection or fixing damages. This is never a good idea. Here’s why:

  •  When hail hits an asphalt shingle it often knocks off the protective granule coating. Once the granules are gone, the protective layer underneath is exposed to the elements.
  • The sun’s ultraviolet light will weaken the exposed spots and make them brittle. These exposed areas are very susceptible to leaks.
  • Once leaks occur, the damage can be extensive due to potential damage from mold, electrical issues, ceiling and wall damage from water, and perhaps even personal property losses. The damage can also come very quickly and often is not initially detected.

Who is Responsible for the Costs of Additional Damage if I Decide to Wait?

While hail damage to your roof is covered by homeowner’s insurance policies, the additional damage caused by waiting to get repairs is not. Most insurance companies believe it is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their homes and take action to prevent leaks and subsequent damage. Therefore, if you wait until your roof is leaking to make a claim you could be footing the bill for all the major repairs.

Preventing additional damage to your home is one of the reasons why some (but not all) insurance companies have time limitations to file a claim. In fact, most policies state that claims should be filed “promptly” or “as soon as possible”. We also always recommend having a professional contractor assess the situation to prevent further damage and costs. Don’t forget, that you can always rely on Classic Construction for your roof damage and repair needs. Feel free to reach out to us today for any restorations that need to be done to your damaged roof caused by hail storms.

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Our GAF Certification is a Quality Promise

What Does it Mean to be a GAF Certified Roofing Company?

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Our GAF Master Elite® Contractors is our customer service promise

Becoming GAF Master Elite® certified is more than just a title; our GAF certification is a quality promise and commitment to get the job done On Time and On Budget. To be certified you can’t just click a button and take a test, you’ve got to be invited by GAF. Our guarantee and promise toward the workmanship combined with our commitment to our client’s needs mean you come first. Because we are invited GAF Master Elite

members, we have access to the highest quality materials. Our well-trained contractors and expert project managers will meet or exceed your project expectations.

GAF Certifications Earned by Classic Construction

The Master Elite® Certification is GAF’s factory certification program that provides ongoing training to roofing contractors and assurance to you, the homeowner, that the roof will be completed well and professionally. This is a highly prestigious award because only 2% of all roofing contractors in the country have qualified as Master Elite®.

Benefits of Hiring GAF Master Elite® Certified Roofing Contractors

A Master Elite® Certification from GAF is the highest level of roofing certifications available in the roofing industry. Since only about 2% of all roofing companies qualify as a Master Elite®, this allows the benefit of being able to provide customers with the most inclusive warranties in the roofing business. In turn, this enables the customers to get peace of mind knowing that their roof will always be taken care of. With a Master Elite® roofer, you can also be sure that they have been properly trained to install the materials correctly and have the ethical knowledge to make sure that your home is always protected.

Roofing Services We Offer for Your Commercial or Residential Properties

Here at Classic, we are masters in our craft. We strive to always stay on top of our training so we can offer the most up-to-date solutions for your roofing needs. This is especially important for commercial roofs that often have special needs to ensure they are in compliance with safety standards. Things like large a/c units and heaters need to be instilled properly to ensure they do not cause structural issues on your roof. Our GAF trading ensures that we are always in the know to keep your building’s roof in tiptop shape. Residential customers can rest easy to know that our GAF master elite certification allows us to easily be approved by your insurance for your repairs. Whether you are in need of roof maintenance or roof repair for your commercial or residential space contact your trusted GAF master elite certified roofers here at Classic Construction.

Our GAF Certification is a Quality Promise

In conclusion, now you know what it means to be a GAF certified roofing company and its importance for quickly and correctly repairing roof damage. Classic Construction & Restoration, Inc. prides itself on having not one, but two certifications On Time. On Budget. That’s Classic.

Three Classic Construction managers on site after a storm which caused severe damage to the homes behind them

Good Contractors in My Area: What Makes a Contractor Stand Out From His Competition?

When you have a construction project that needs to get done, you want to hire a contractor that can get it done on time, on budget and on a high-quality level. That’s just common sense. But what makes a roofing contractor, a restoration contractor, or really any kind of contractor better than his competition?

There are three key traits that set the great contractors apart from the ones you never want to hire again, and they are:

Likeability

The most enjoyable contractor to work with is the one that you as a property manager, or maybe your HOA Board, actually likes. Construction projects can take a long time and it’s very likely that at least one thing will go wrong, causing problems for you and your residents. Make your job easier by picking a contractor you enjoy speaking with and receiving phone calls from. Most of the time, you’ll find it easier to do repeat business with a contractor you like than one you dread calling, whatever the reason. If you find yourself a contractor that you or your Board “just clicks” with, make sure you also vet them for this next trait.

Excellent Communication

Have you ever met a person you really liked who just never called you back? It’s such a shame when that happens. But this disappointment can quickly become a much bigger issue when it comes to construction. The best contractors will be the ones who take your calls, even when – no, especially when – things have gone wrong. This is a sign of trustworthiness and accountability that you might take for granted until you realize too late how important it is. If you’ve found yourself a contractor you like who answers your calls and emails, hooray! You’re 2/3 of the way to being sure you’ve got a great one. But can he meet the trifecta?

Professionally Knowledgeable

You might think this trait should come before communication skills, but if you can’t get the guy to talk to you, you’ll never get a chance to find out if he knows what he’s talking about. And you definitely want your contractor to know what he’s talking about. A likeable guy can con you into hiring him with his charming tongue, then leave you hanging out to dry when the project goes south. The best contractor for the job will be the one you like who communicates well with you and can demonstrate his professional knowledge for you before, during and after the project is complete. And if he truly is the trifecta of contractors, he’ll be able to explain the trickiest parts of the job to you in a way you can actually understand.

Here at Classic Construction, we believe in the importance of each one of these traits not just individually, but as a combination as well. If you’re looking for the trifecta of contractors, reach out for a free quote for your next project!

Classic Construction employee standing next to a ladder outside of a brick Texas home which is going through a roof inspection due to heat damage.

The Top 3 Ways the Texas Heat and Humidity Can Cause Damage to Your Home

heat damage to Texas home going through inspection with brick layer, Classic Construction employee standing next to a ladder outside of the homeIt’s no surprise to anyone who’s lived here from May to August that North Texas summers are hot and humid. What might surprise you is the damage that the summer heat and humidity can cause to your home. That’s why today, we’re going to share with you the top 3 ways that heat and humidity damage your home – and what you can do about it.

Foundation Damage

Perhaps the biggest threat the Texas heat poses to your home is the threat of foundation issues. Your foundation is designed to gather moisture from the soil around it to help it maintain itself. In the heat, the soil around the base of your home dries up and shrinks away from the foundation, causing an imbalance in the delicate foundational support system. Furthermore, having large trees with large root systems near your home can cause further foundation damage as the roots spread out in search of water. A good way to keep your foundation damage-free is to make sure the soil around your home is continuously moistened by a sprinkler system and to remove any large trees from near your home. You might also consider bringing in more soil if you find that the soil or mulch around your home is already receding.

Roof Damage

heat damage to roof, cracked shingles Here at Classic Construction, we are unusually passionate about regular roof maintenance, and for good reason. Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, and the heat and humidity in summer can cause damage to your roof that can affect other areas of your home as well. The heat can cause shingles to crack, making them more likely to leak. A good summer shower can come along and then cause unbearable humidity in your attic which, when combined with the heat, can cause the shingles to deteriorate at an even faster rate. The humidity can also cause the insulation in your attic to breakdown. To help prevent damage to your roof, we suggest scheduling regular roof maintenance to keep it properly maintained.

Sealant Damage

heat sealant damage to home roof flashing damage causing the roof to lift up from heat damage to the home. Roof raised a bit to see damageSealant essentially prevents moisture from entering your home or escaping your plumbing. Areas in your home that require sealant include your roof, pipes, windows, doors, tubs, and any openings that lead to the exterior of the home or are near the plumbing. Sealants typically have only a 6-month shelf life before they start peeling or become cracked enough to become ineffective. With the Texas heat and humidity, this shelf life becomes even less. Once moisture enters your home, you can have interior damage from the leaks such as stains on your ceiling or even more serious damage such as rotted wood or buckling hardwood floors. Furthermore, the humidity created by the combination of the leaks and the Texas heat can cause mold and mildew to grow. To prevent any of this from occurring in your home, we (again) suggest regularly scheduled maintenance and a healthy dose of vigilance.

If it’s been a while since you had someone come out and inspect your home for signs of heat damage, reach out to us here at Classic Construction today for a free quote!

Summer home maintenance on a home with the sun shining down on home roof.

Maintenance Tips to Prepare Your North Texas Home for Summer

summer home maintenance, sun shining down on home roof Summer is here! As exciting as warmer weather is, it’s essential that we make sure our home is ready for the change. Below are some of Classic Construction’s top tips to help you prepare your home for Summer.

Inspect your roof

For your safety, you should perform this inspection from the ground to the best of your ability, possibly with binoculars. Check for dents, loose or torn off shingles, and obvious nails sticking out.

Change all your filters

This includes your water, range hood and air vent filters. Summer brings with it all the allergens, so this will help keep your family safe from these annoying particles.

Additionally, you should make sure to clean out your dryer vent. This is massively important to do because it can help you prevent a fire from destroying part or all of your home. Fire restoration services are expensive and time consuming but cleaning your dryer vent is free and takes about an hour.

Check all window and door seals

Summer is a dry season; checking your caulking will help you catch any areas for potential leaks before they cause damage to your home. Consider looking into weather-stripping.

Clean out your gutters

If you didn’t do this between autumn and winter, chances are your gutters are chock full of leaves and debris. When the spring showers hit, your gutters could overflow and cause damage to your home. They could also detach completely from your home from the weight filling them up.

Inspect your foundation

If you have a crawlspace, make sure to clear out and repair your foundation vents as these will prevent mold and critters from taking up residence beneath your home. Look for any visible cracks or shifting.

Inspect any brick or concrete surrounding your home

Moisture is the enemy of brick and concrete. If it seeps beneath your driveway, it can cause cracks and splitting. If water sneaks its way into the mortar between your brick walls, they could crumble and fall apart as well. Check for any signs of moisture seepage in these areas around your home and shop around for an estimate for repairs if you think it’s necessary.

Service your HVAC unit

Despite the costs, we all know our HVAC units are the real MVPs of our homes. They’ve kept us warm all winter and we’ll be expecting them to keep us cool during the summer. Therefore it’s essential to have them serviced by a licensed HVAC professional. You don’t want to wait until the heat of summer to find out you have an AC problem.

Inspect your wood siding, decking, and railing

Winter is harsh on wood. Look for any signs of wood damage or deterioration. If any of your wood is rotted, it needs to be replaced. Also be on the lookout for any signs of termites or other critters. It’s better to have these removed or exterminated before acquiring further damage.

Prepare your pool

If you have a pool, you’re probably already looking forward to using it again. I’m sure you know about the usual cleaning, brushing, chlorinating and debris removal; these are what you usually handle yourself. Make sure you also clean the filter, check the conditioner levels, test your pool equipment, run the pump during the warmest part of the day, and clean your salt cell (if you have a saltwater pool).

Man repairing wood floor with a hammer his right and a pencil in his hand.

When should I hire a contractor for my construction project? 

person-holding-pencil-1388944If you find yourself with a construction project that needs doing, you might be wondering when you should hire a contractor. This can be difficult to know since different types of projects will have different needs. If you’re a property manager or landlord with an angry or persistent tenant, the answer might be “yesterday.” But if you’re a homeowner looking to make upgrades or non-essential improvements, you’ve got time on your side.

In any of these situations, there are 3 main tasks you will need to add to your to-do list before you hire a contractor.

Determine when the work must be completed

Is this an emergency or a wish list project? Emergencies obviously require repairs today, while wish list items can wait. In any event, determine when the work should be completed. If it’s an emergency, you’ll need to move through these steps quickly. But if it’s a wish list project, determine which season would be best to have this work completed.

You’ll also want to be mindful of the construction industry’s busy seasons. The summer season is when many large projects are typically taking place because the lack of rain makes it easier complete a large amount of work in a short amount of time.

Contractors who can get large jobs scheduled are likely to do so in the summer. Large jobs are more difficult to schedule in the spring, fall and winter seasons, so smaller jobs such as leak investigations or interior repairs are more likely to be scheduled during this time.

Determine your budget and scope of work

This is pretty straightforward advice and probably the single most important item on your to-do list before hiring a contractor.

Before a contractor starts demolition on a property or making repairs, they need to have a plan for the work to be done. This is commonly referred to as a bid or an estimate and is where these two items come into play. A bid clearly outlines the work that the client (you) would like to see completed and lets you know how much the contractor expects to be paid for that work. Without a clearly defined scope of work or a budget on your end, you’re likely to overspend and not get what you thought you paid for.

Do your research


contractor renovation project gray-standard-color-book-near-green-eraser-159045Before starting a job, most contractors will submit a formal bid or estimate based on the scope of work and budget you’ve provided them. A good one will work with you and educate you on the price of materials and type of work you’re asking for to make sure you understand why they can or cannot do a certain type of work for the price you’re asking.

When doing your research, make sure you solicit bids from at least 3 different contractors. This will give you a range of price points to choose from, as well as introduce you to a few of the types of contractors you’re likely to encounter. You’ll learn a lot about the values, attitudes, professionalism and knowledge of the contractors while discussing or negotiating their bids with them.

If you don’t know where to start looking for a professional contractor, try the Better Business Bureau.

If you’ve already accomplished these three to-do items, give Classic Construction a call…we provide free estimates and we can do it all on time and on budget.

That’s Classic!

two GAF Certified quality roofing contractors on the roof taken from arial view of the roof

What does GAF Master Elite™ Certification mean for our customers?

two GAF Certified quality roofing contractors on the roof taken from arial view of the roofHere at Classic Construction & Restoration, Inc. we take pride in being among the top 2% of roofing contractors in North America. How did we achieve this lofty goal? 

We went through the process of becoming GAF Master Elite® certified!

GAF is an acronym for General Aniline & Film, which is the leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing materials in America. If you have a roof over your head, there’s a 1 in 4 chance that it was built with GAF’s materials. 

The Master Elite® Certification is GAF’s factory certification program that provides ongoing training to roofing contractors and assurance to you, the homeowner, that the roof will be completed well and professionally. This is a highly prestigious award because only 2% of all roofing contractors in the country have qualified as Master Elite®. 

What does this mean for you as a homeowner?

Choosing a GAF Master Elite® contractor is your assurance that you will be dealing with a quality, dependable and professional contractor. In order for a roofing contractor to qualify for the certification, they must meet the following standards:

  • A+ BBB rating
  • possess an established license for the state they work in
  • be current with distributor partners in receivables
  • have been in business for at least 3 years
  • consistently show ethical contracting in their service area
  • be adequately insured
  • show a commitment to ongoing professional training

two classic construction GAF master elite certified contractors on the roof examining roof material

A certified GAF Master Elite® roofer is the only contractor that can offer 2 of the best warranties in the industry, Silver Pledge and Gold Pledge, both backed by GAF. GAF also covers a Master Elite’s workmanship. Approximately 95% of the issues that arise on a roofing project are related to the installation of the product, not the product itself. With a Master Elite® roofer, you can be sure that they have been trained to install the materials correctly and have the ethical wherewithal to make sure that your home is protected. 

As a full-service general contractor proudly serving North Texas for over 90 years, and one who qualifies as a top 2% roofing contractor, you can rest assured that your roof is in good hands with Classic Construction & Restoration, Inc. 

If you find yourself in need of a new roof, call Classic Construction today for your free quote!

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