Project Highlights
- Malone Roofing’s roof insurance prowess negotiated initial claims from $700,000 to $4.387 million – a 600+% increase in coverage.
- Additional coverage led to replacement of 1,767 squares vs 370 squares originally quoted.
- Malone Roofing helped expand the scope of the roof replacement to protect the property from future damage.
- Roof replacement quickly reduced the time to fill leasing spaces in the business complex.
When faced with an urgent roofing crisis, the Sunflower Business Complex turned to Malone Roofing to help with insurance claim negotiations and an innovative roof replacement solution to protect their growing business complex. Malone Roofing expertly took charge of the situation and negotiated insurance claims from an initial $700,000 to a staggering $4.387 million.
The increase enabled a comprehensive roof replacement, covering almost 400% more roof of what was originally quoted. By expanding the scope of the project, Malone Roofing gave the property the fortification they needed to thrive while protecting the property from future damage.
Problem
In the summer of 2022, the developing Sunflower Business Complex in Indianola, Mississippi, faced a severe crisis. On July 14th, a violent windstorm tore through the area, ripping off a substantial portion of the complex’s TPO roof membrane. This sudden exposure left the substrate and the property below vulnerable, causing it to become saturated and ruined beyond repair in many places.
The business complex, comprising an abandoned building with several empty partitions that were being renovated for commercial leasing, was suddenly at risk of extensive damage that threatened to derail months of progress. The customer, recognizing the urgency of the situation, were suddenly in search of a reliable commercial roofing company to rectify the leaks.
Having performed a high volume of commercial roof maintenance thru out the Mississippi Delta Region, Malone Roofing came to be known for its hard work ethic and excellent results with many local businesses. The customer reached out to Malone Roofing based on this reputation and kicked the project into action.
At that time, the property was awaiting approval for multiple leasing client requests. The damage posed a serious threat not only to the structural integrity of the buildings but also to the owner’s commercial aspirations.
Initially, the owners sought Malone to perform a simple repair job – even if it were a large and expensive one – hoping to address the immediate roof damage caused by the storm.
However, it quickly became evident that the extent of the damage required a more comprehensive and long-term solution, casting some concern and doubt on the coverage of the property’s roof insurance policy’s ability to cover the costs of a replacement.
Process/Highlights
Initial Assessment and Insurance Negotiations
Malone Roofing deployed their top insurance claims experts, Kevin Donlon and Mickey Garon, to handle the project. Kevin, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of insurance claims, and Mickey, the affable client-facing advocate, immediately began a thorough assessment of the damage and reviewed the insurance policy details for the Owner. Their goal was to ensure the Owner was properly compensated for their claim.
Upon review, Kevin and Mickey discovered significant issues overlooked by the insurance company’s initial quote, which stood meagerly around $700,000.
Key among these issues were misaligned metal bar joists that could not support a new roof under the quoted price, and the saturated substrate that necessitated a full replacement rather than a simple repair. Recognizing these critical oversights, they knew that a straightforward repair would only lead to further problems down the line.
Kevin and Mickey took charge of the cooperative negotiations with the insurance carrier. They met with the insurance adjusters and estimators, providing detailed evidence and technical explanations to demonstrate the true scope of the damage.
Mickey, reflecting on the process, noted, “We had to show them that a patch job would be like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. The roof needed a full replacement to ensure the building’s long-term safety and integrity.”
Execution and Adaptation
Once the insurance company adjusted their estimate multiple times, finally settling at $4.387 million, Malone Roofing commenced the extensive reroofing project. This involved replacing 1,767 squares of roofing—a far cry from the original 370 squares suggested by the initial quote.
However, the project faced its own set of challenges. The tectum substrate, which had become obsolete and difficult to source, was one such obstacle. Despite this, Malone Roofing demonstrated their commitment to value engineering by sourcing a custom-made batch of tectum substrate. Unfortunately, the custom pieces proved unsuitable for the entire structure. Undeterred, Malone Roofing swiftly pivoted, securing B-Deck 22 gauge metal decking, ensuring the continuity and integrity of the roofing project.
The total project spanned nine months, from September 2022 to June 2023, requiring painstaking coordination among various subcontractors and engineers. Daily progress updates and safety concerns were managed by Malone’s supervisors and foremen, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow. Malone Roofing handled all aspects, beyond installing the Metal decking and the Carlisle TPO roofing membrane from safety measures and heavy equipment operation to certifications by engineers and manufacturers.
While Malone Roofing and associates mostly got their way when it came to expanding the extent of roof repairs and replacement, the project was not without hiccups.
One obstacle that occurred during the project was the extensive water infiltration that occurred after the storm tore off the roof. With a wide open space overhead for months, rainwater pooled on the concrete floors, seeping into neighboring leasing areas and threatening to damage critical components on the ground floor.
Malone Roofing quickly acted to reduce threats of mildew and other water damage, installing water pumps and placing sandbags to divert water away from particularly vulnerable areas. This helped prevent any further damage from rain and helped avoid the chagrin of the neighboring lessors in the building.
Results
The successful completion of the Sunflower Business Complex roofing project marked a significant achievement for Malone Roofing and the client. The comprehensive solution provided not only addressed the immediate storm damage but also fortified the building against future weather events. This robust roofing solution exceeded the client’s expectations, safeguarding the complex’s commercial viability.
The new roof, covering 1,767 squares, was a substantial upgrade from the initial 370 squares. By replacing the entire substrate and roofing membrane, Malone Roofing ensured the building’s long-term protection. The project is a prime example of Malone’s dedication to thinking “outside the box”, focusing on maximizing the project’s value for the client while minimizing additional costs.
The team at the Sunflower County Business Complex, while initially hesitant, felt elated with the outcome of their property’s roof replacement. After seeing firsthand the benefits of Malone Roofing’s expertise and dedication, they knew they made the right decision in choosing Malone and pursuing the additional insurance coverage.
“Once they saw the value and the protection we were providing, they were fully on board,” Mickey recalled. Their confidence was further boosted by the positive feedback from engineer Ron Cassada, who noted had never seen such an extensive roof insurance claim handled so effectively.
Ultimately, Malone Roofing’s expert intervention in the insurance process was the linchpin to transforming a potentially disastrous situation into a stunning example of industry knowledge, technical understanding, and client advocacy.
The Sunflower Business Complex roof replacement showcases Malone Roofing’s commitment to quality, doing what’s right for the customer, and the core principle of providing as much value as possible to each commercial roofing project.