How long will it take to get my roof fixed after Hurricane Ian?

Hurricane Ian damaged thousands of roofs across Southwest Florida and Central Florida. Single-family homes, condominiums, apartment buildings, high-rises, retail centers, government buildings, churches and other types of buildings all suffered roof damage.

All those property owners need their roofs repaired or replaced, preferably as soon as possible. How long will it take to get a roof fixed after a hurricane? Let’s walk through that process.

Hurricane Ian: Setting Priorities

Licensed, reputable roofing contractors are in high demand after a hurricane. For example, Lloyd Roofing will receive hundreds of telephone calls, emails and texts immediately after a storm. That is because Lloyd Roofing is a storm specialist widely regarded as Florida’s top roofing contractor for post-hurricane repairs.

Roofing inspectors will determine whether a roof should be repaired or replaced. Inspectors also help set priorities for service based on the following criteria:

Major water intrusion: Structures with significant damage that allow rainwater to pour into a home or business, causing interior damage. This type of major roof damage is usually an entire section that is missing or pulled apart.
Damaged and actively leaking: Buildings with less obvious, but still visible, damage that cause leaks during subsequent rainstorms.
Damaged but not leaking: Residential and commercial buildings often lose shingles, tiles or roofing membrane during a storm. If the underlayment and roof decking remain structurally sound, though, leaks won’t appear immediately.
Small damage: High winds and flying debris can cause chips or cracks in tiles and granule loss on shingles. Tiles and shingles are often dislodged during hurricanes. High winds also can bend metal panels and loosen adhesives. This type of damage does not pose an immediate threat but should be fixed before the next major weather event.

Many roofing contractors offer priority service for current or former customers. Lloyd Roofing, for example, offers commercial service maintenance contracts that cover regular inspections and maintenance. Contract holders receive priority status because of that existing relationship.

Hurricane Ian: Setting a Timeline

After customers agree to a roof repair or replacement, the next step is setting a timeline. To expedite an emergency roof repair, it’s important for property owners and managers to be flexible and willing to accept the first available opening.

Two primary factors that help determine when your repair will be completed include:

Availability of materials: Roofing contractors can store large amounts of lumber, sealants, roofing membranes, nails and other materials in their warehouses. Those items can be used for a variety of residential and commercial properties. However, contractors generally maintain a limited supply of concrete or clay tiles, shingles and metal panels. That’s because those items are often custom to a home, business or community with special cuts, styles or designs. Owens Corning, for example, offers 12 color variations within Duration, one of its six specialty lines of shingles. Lloyd Roofing is a preferred contractor for Owens Corning and several top manufacturers, a relationship that helps expedite delivery of roofing materials.
Availability of roofers: Roofing crews work nearly nonstop in the weeks and months following storms like Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Michael. Lloyd Roofing maintains teams of experienced roofers skilled at repairs and installations for all types of roofs. The company continues to hire and train additional roofers to serve customers across Florida. It’s important to note that some roofing companies, especially out-of-state businesses, use subcontractors and laborers who may lack the training or expertise to complete jobs according to exact specifications. It’s best to avoid using out-of-state contractors; many aren’t even licensed to do business in Florida.

The insurance process can also help determine the timeline. Property owners should contact their insurance provider after a hurricane if they have damages and maintain frequent contact to expedite a claim.

Schedule an Inspection

Hurricane Ian created an urgent need for emergency roof repairs. The first step to repairing or replacing a roof is to schedule an inspection. Lloyd Roofing responds to requests 24/7, and repair teams are available days, nights, weekends and holidays.

Need to schedule a repair?