Storm Damage Roof Repair in Brevard County — What to Do First

Brevard County takes more hurricane and tropical storm hits than almost anywhere else on the Florida east coast. After a major event, the first 48 hours determine how cleanly your insurance claim is resolved, how quickly your roof is restored, and how much you pay out of pocket. Here's the step-by-step process ProCraft Renovations walks Brevard County homeowners through after every storm.

Step 1: Make sure your family is safe. Before any roof inspection or photography, confirm that interior areas with active leaks are safe — no electrical issues, no ceiling collapse risk, no flooded outlets. Move valuables out of leak paths. Don't go on the roof yourself; storm-damaged roofs are extremely dangerous and many post-storm injuries happen during homeowner inspections.

Step 2: Document damage from the ground. Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph each side of the roof with a wide shot, then close-ups of any visible damage — missing shingles, lifted ridges, displaced tiles, debris, sagging areas. Photograph any debris in the yard and any interior water staining or active leaks. Time-stamp everything. These photos are the primary evidence for your insurance claim.

Step 3: Get emergency tarping. If you have active leaks, emergency tarping prevents further interior damage and protects your claim (Florida law requires homeowners to mitigate damage). ProCraft provides emergency tarping for Brevard County homeowners typically within 24 hours of a storm. Save every receipt — your insurance reimburses tarping costs as part of the claim.

Step 4: Call your insurance carrier and open the claim. Get your claim number in writing. Note the date, time, and name of the representative you spoke with. Your carrier will assign an adjuster who will inspect the damage — typically within 7 to 21 days, longer after major hurricane events when claim volume is high.

Step 5: Schedule a contractor inspection BEFORE the adjuster arrives. This is the most important step most homeowners miss. A licensed Florida roofing contractor inspects the roof, documents all damage with photos, and produces a written line-item scope of repairs in Xactimate format (the pricing software most Florida carriers use). When the adjuster arrives, your contractor meets them on the roof. This dramatically improves claim accuracy and prevents missed damage.

Step 6: Verify licensing before signing anything. After Brevard County storms, out-of-state storm chasers flood the area with door-to-door sales. Florida law requires a licensed Florida roofing contractor for any work over $2,500 — verify any contractor at myfloridalicense.com before signing. Never sign Assignment of Benefits agreements at your door. Never accept offers to waive your insurance deductible (illegal in Florida). ProCraft Renovations is Licensed Florida Roofing Contractor #CCC1335912.

Step 7: Confirm permit requirements. Brevard County and every municipality within it (Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Titusville, the beaches) require permits for roof replacement and substantial repair. Your contractor pulls the permit — never pull it yourself. Permit fees vary by jurisdiction but are typically $200 to $800 for a residential roof replacement.

Step 8: Understand the payment timeline. Insurance carriers typically pay claims in two parts: Actual Cash Value (ACV) at the start (replacement cost minus depreciation, paid after the adjuster's report) and Recoverable Depreciation after the work is completed and invoiced. Total settlement timeline is typically 30 to 90 days for straightforward claims, longer for complex or disputed claims.

Brevard County-specific considerations. Coastal homes in Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Cape Canaveral, and the barrier islands take the worst of named-storm wind exposure and salt spray. Code requires upgraded fasteners and high-velocity-hurricane-zone underlayments for replacement in these areas. Inland Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, and Suntree typically see less direct wind exposure but still require full storm-damage inspection after any named event.

ProCraft's storm claim process. Free post-storm inspection within 24 hours. Photo documentation and damage assessment. Xactimate-format scope of repairs. Adjuster meeting on site. Licensed contractor work with full warranty. Permit handling end-to-end. Free storm damage repair inspection — call (321) 550-2272.