Storm damage repairs – how are you handling the contractor bidding process right now?

Question

With the storm that tore through the Chicago area and Upper Midwest this week, I know a lot of investors and PMs are dealing with roof, siding, and tree damage right now.

I've already seen door-knockers and storm chasers posting to Facebook. If they aren't there yet, they're on the way. The pressure to sign on the spot will be intense.

My question for the group: for those of you dealing with storm damage right now, how are you approaching the contractor bidding process?

Using "My Guy" to handle tarping service is a given. That's clearly an emergency. But for repairs and replacements, are you trying to get multiple bids despite the rush? Have you had good or bad experiences with storm chasers in the past?

I'm genuinely curious how others are navigating this, especially when you have multiple properties affected and need to move fast without making a costly decision under pressure.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Alison Robinson · Answer

We recently dealt with storm damage at two rental properties, and I wasn’t happy with either outcome.

At one property, the storm damaged the soffit. We obtained two quotes, both around $2,500. The comparable bids validated the price, but it was still an expensive repair.

The worse situation was a damaged tree at another property. We paid $1,900 to have it taken down, and that did not include removing the stump.

The tree had lost a large branch last year. In hindsight, we should have removed it then. Waiting turned a known maintenance concern into urgent storm work, when we had less control over the timing, price, and scope.

My biggest takeaway is that storm-cost management starts before the storm. When a tree, roof, or exterior component begins showing warning signs, addressing it as planned maintenance may be cheaper than waiting until it becomes an emergency.

Once emergency work is needed, the written scope matters just as much as the quote—especially debris removal, cleanup, and stump grinding.

Jim Johnson · Answer

Hello Pete!

One thing I'd add is that after a major storm, I pay just as much attention to the contractor's communication as their estimate. A good scope of work, clear timeline, and documentation for insurance are often worth more than saving a few hundred dollars on the bid.

Pete Labath · Answer

Jim, that's a great point, and one that often gets overlooked in the rush after a storm.

The lowest bid is rarely the best bid. The contractor who can articulate a clear scope of work, provide a documented timeline, and deliver documentation for insurance is often the one who actually saves you money in the long run.

That is exactly why we built FREEthR to focus on the process, not just the price. We create a single, documented scope, collect competitive bids, and deliver clear documentation so owners and PMs can compare not just the numbers, but the materials, the timeline, and all of the details that matter.

The contractor who can explain the work clearly and document it properly is the contractor who is likely to execute it well. Thanks for adding that perspective.

Pete Labath · Answer

Sorry to hear it Alison! I absolutely agree though, when we see signs acting sooner than later will always be less costly in the end.

Pete Labath · Answer

Richard, you’re right that waiting around for bids is not the move, especially when you have a damaged property that needs attention. But there is a new, unique, and free middle ground.

The choice doesn’t have to be between "sign with the first guy who shows up" and "wait months for multiple bids." The problem is that the traditional bid process is slow and manual. It takes time to call around, coordinate site visits, wait for proposals, and compare them.

That is exactly what FREEthR is designed to solve. We handle the legwork—one scope, multiple competitive bids from vetted local contractors, delivered in days, not weeks. No chasing vendors. No reconciling inconsistent proposals. No waiting around.

The preferred customer relationship still has value. But a vendor who knows they are valued and knows they are not the only call has a reason to stay sharp. Competition does not have to mean replacing your core vendors, it means making sure they’re still earning the work.

So you’re right: don’t wait around. But you also do not have to settle. There’s a faster way to get competitive bids, and it does not require sacrificing speed.

Richard F. · Answer

If you're going to wait around for multiple bids, it will be next summer before your roof gets replaced. You call "your Contactor guy" and just get him on it...as a preferred customer if you have been treating him well. Unless the insurance company has a preferred vendor they will pay in full that can get on it very quickly.

Storm damage repairs – how are you handling the contractor bidding process right now?

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