Storm damage repairs: follow our three golden rules

Storm Austen didn’t cause the kind of damage we saw when Storm Ciarán hit in 2023, but last week’s high winds and heavy rain still left their mark on some homes across the Island. Slipped roof tiles, damaged fences, blocked gutters and the odd broken window mean that many Islanders will now be looking for someone to put things right.

When demand for tradespeople rises, so, unfortunately, does the number of cowboys. So whether the job is big or small, and whether the firm is local or from off-Island, we’re reminding Islanders to follow our three golden rules when hiring a tradesperson:

1. Never pay for a quote. You shouldn’t have to pay a business to tell you what a job will cost. If a firm insists on payment before it has even visited your property, treat it as a red flag and go elsewhere.
2. Don’t pay off-Island firms up front. If a business goes back to the UK before starting the work, you’ll have very little chance of getting your money back.
3. Get it in writing. Have a contract or written agreement in place before any work starts, setting out the cost, the timescale and any warranty. It will protect you if the work is poor or left unfinished.

If you have any damage from Storm Austen, or you find you do in the future after another storm, then you should do the following before you hire anyone

• Check the tradesperson has the right qualifications and credentials for the job.
• Ask about their health and safety procedures.
• Ask for references from previous customers and check reviews online, such as on Facebook.
• Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door offering to fix something.
• If you’re claiming on insurance, speak to your insurer first, because many have approved repairers.

If you plan to claim but haven’t already contacted your insurer, do so as soon as possible. Photograph or film any damage before clearing up. Keep a note of every call and email, including dates and names.

Only carry out temporary repairs that stop things getting worse, such as covering a broken window or a hole in the roof, and keep every receipt. Don’t throw damaged items away until your insurer says you can, as they may want to see them.

Check your policy before assuming a claim will be paid. Most buildings insurance excludes fences, sheds and outbuildings.

What to do if your claim is turned down

If you believe you have a strong case, ask your insurer for its complaints policy and follow its appeals process.

If that doesn’t resolve things, take the matter to the ombudsman. Most insurers are covered by the UK Financial Ombudsman Service, while some fall under the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman. Your insurer can tell you which applies.

Be prepared

Storm Austen is unlikely to be the last storm of the winter.

If you’ve been ignoring any little jobs for a while, then now is the time to get them fixed, as the next storm could turn small jobs into much bigger ones.

Before the next storm, it’s also worth digging out your insurance policy documents so you know exactly what you are, and aren’t, covered for.

Jobs you should do now, or get someone in to do, include:

• Roof and chimney: Look for slipped, loose or missing tiles and slates, a damaged chimney pot, or a loose TV aerial.
• Gutters and drains: Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downpipes and drains so heavy rain can run away rather than back into your home.
• Trees and hedges: Cut back branches that overhang your roof, windows or anything else they could damage.