When Hail Hits Home: A Frisco Family’s Restoration Journey with State Farm and Specialty Contractors
When Hail Hits Home: A Frisco Family’s Restoration Journey with State Farm and Specialty Contractors
Chapter 1: The Calm Before the Storm
In early April, the Moores were just settling in for the weekend. Their two-story home in west Frisco sat peacefully in the Newman Village area—a community known for its charming homes, landscaped walkways, and quiet streets.
The forecast had called for some spring rain, maybe thunder. Nothing unusual.
By 3 a.m., that changed.
“I remember waking up to what sounded like baseballs slamming the roof,” said Natalie Moore. “I looked outside and saw hail the size of limes bouncing off the driveway. My heart sank.”
By sunrise, the aftermath was clear. Shingles scattered across the yard. Gutters dented. Skylight cracked. Water stains forming along the living room ceiling.
“I just kept thinking, what do we do now?”
Chapter 2: Filing a Claim with State Farm®
The Moores had been with State Farm for over a decade. They’d never filed a homeowners claim—until now.
“I opened the State Farm app on my phone and filed a claim within 10 minutes,” said Jason Moore. “I was surprised how easy it was.”
Within 24 hours, a claims adjuster was assigned. An inspection was scheduled. The process felt smooth—at first.
But that’s when the questions started:
- How do we choose a contractor?
- What’s actually covered?
- How do supplements work?
That’s when their neighbor across the street, who had suffered similar damage during the 2022 hailstorm, introduced them to Specialty Contractors.
“Call Specialty. They’re preferred by several carriers and know how to work with State Farm. They helped us when no one else could get the job done right.”
Chapter 3: Meeting Specialty Contractors
When project manager Carlos Martinez arrived, he didn’t show up with a clipboard and a sales pitch. He showed up with empathy, experience, and a plan.
“I’ve seen hundreds of these storms,” Carlos told the Moores. “The difference between a stressful rebuild and a smooth one usually comes down to communication and knowing the insurance process inside and out.”
Carlos performed a full inspection—not just the roof, but the attic, gutters, siding, paint, drywall, and the HVAC system.
By using Xactimate, the same software State Farm uses to estimate repairs, Specialty Contractors created a scope of work that aligned perfectly with the insurance guidelines—but still advocated for everything the home truly needed.
Chapter 4: The Education Behind the Restoration
Restoration isn't just about putting things back—it's about doing it right. Here’s what the Moores learned during the process:
✅ Understanding State Farm’s Replacement Cost Coverage
State Farm homeowners policies in Texas often include replacement cost coverage, which means you’ll receive full replacement value once repairs are complete—not just the depreciated value.
Carlos explained this clearly: “Don’t panic if the first check is lower than expected. That’s just the ACV (Actual Cash Value). Once we complete the repairs, State Farm releases the depreciation funds.”
✅ The Power of Documentation
Specialty Contractors documented everything—from photos and drone footage to detailed room-by-room notes.
“Your claim is only as strong as the evidence,” Carlos said. “We don't wait for things to get denied. We prevent it by submitting clear, thorough documentation from the start.”
✅ Supplements Are Normal
What’s a supplement? It’s a request to your insurance carrier to add additional line items that were either missed or unknown at the time of the initial estimate.
“We had to supplement for roof decking replacement and interior paint,” said Carlos. “These aren’t ‘extra’ costs—they’re necessary repairs that only became visible once we began the work.”
Chapter 5: Frisco Codes, Permits & Pitfalls
In a fast-growing city like Frisco, the building codes evolve constantly. The city requires:
- Permit pulls for roofing and structural repairs
- Inspections for windstorm compliance
- Specific ventilation standards that many older homes don’t meet
Specialty Contractors handled all of it.
“We never knew about city code upgrades,” said Natalie. “If we’d gone with a budget roofer, I doubt we would’ve been covered for those.”
Luckily, State Farm covered many of these items under Ordinance or Law provisions—a detail that Specialty’s team proactively added to the claim.
Chapter 6: The Rebuild Begins
Once the claim was approved and the scope finalized, the real work began:
🏠 Roofing
- GAF Timberline HDZ shingles with upgraded synthetic underlayment
- New ridge vent system for attic airflow
- Full decking replacement after failing inspection
🎨 Interior Repairs
- Drywall demo and repainting in the living room and guest bath
- New baseboards and crown molding
- Refinish of hardwoods due to water seepage
💧 Gutters and Exterior Paint
- Seamless aluminum gutters with larger downspouts
- Full exterior repaint with Sherwin-Williams Duration in neutral tones
Specialty’s crews were punctual, polite, and clean. Carlos remained the single point of contact—updating the Moores weekly, coordinating trades, and submitting updates to State Farm.
Chapter 7: What Sets Specialty Contractors Apart
After working with thousands of insurance claims across DFW, here’s what makes Specialty Contractors different:
✔️ Over 40 Years of Experience
Trusted by insurance carriers, adjusters, and homeowners alike.
✔️ In-House Estimating & Design
They use the same software as State Farm, allowing for faster approvals and fewer disputes.
✔️ Direct Carrier Relationships
Preferred or recognized by many major carriers, including USAA, Chubb, State Farm, and more.
✔️ Full Service — Not Just Roofing
They handle kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, paint, and reconstruction—giving you a one-stop solution.
✔️ Transparency & Education
Homeowners are never left guessing. Specialty walks you through every step and makes sure you're in control of your claim.
Chapter 8: Lessons for Other Homeowners
Whether you’re in Starwood, Phillips Creek Ranch, or The Trails, if you’ve experienced storm damage in Frisco, here’s what you need to know:
1. Don’t Wait to File
State Farm allows you to file a claim promptly via their app or website. The sooner you file, the faster you’re on the path to restoration.
2. Choose the Right Contractor
Avoid storm chasers and “knock-on-your-door” crews. Choose local, proven, and experienced contractors like Specialty.
3. Understand Your Deductible
In Texas, your deductible is often 1%–2% of your home’s value. You’ll need to pay this out-of-pocket, and reputable contractors won’t “waive” it—that’s illegal in Texas.
4. Request an Insurance-Savvy Builder
It’s not just about hammer and nails. You need someone who understands policy language, supplements, and documentation.
Chapter 9: The Final Walkthrough
After eight weeks, the Moores' home looked better than ever.
“Honestly, I didn’t know it could look this good,” said Jason. “What started as a disaster turned into an upgrade.”
State Farm released the depreciation check, and the final balance was paid. No surprises. No drawn-out battles. Just peace of mind.
“Specialty turned a nightmare into a blessing. They didn’t just rebuild our home. They restored our confidence.”
Chapter 10: Why Specialty Contractors Is the Go-To in Frisco
Whether it’s a windstorm in Craig Ranch or a plumbing leak in Stonebriar, Specialty Contractors is Frisco’s trusted partner for insurance restoration, remodeling, and design-build construction.
- Local experts who know city code
- State Farm-friendly estimates and documentation
- Project managers who actually communicate
- Quality tradespeople who respect your home
If you’re filing a State Farm claim or just want an honest second opinion, schedule a no-pressure consultation today.
✅ Ready to Get Started?
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Serving Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, and surrounding DFW areas
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Call today at (214) 389-5130
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Visit
www.callspecialty.com
