As hurricane season winds down, homeowners along the Coastal Bend are turning their attention to roof replacements and repairs, but many may not realize that a state inspection requirement can affect their insurance as much as their construction. GH Construction, a Rockport-based contractor, is urging property owners to understand Texas windstorm inspection rules before work begins.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, properties in 14 coastal counties and in parts of Harris County are in a designated catastrophe area. In that area, most new construction, roof replacements, major repairs, and other alterations require an inspection. The inspection ties directly to coverage: TDI notes that to buy a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policy, most homes and properties must have a certificate of compliance.
During construction, the inspection can be performed by an engineer appointed by TDI or a TDI inspector. After construction is finished, a Texas licensed professional engineer can perform the inspection. Not every project triggers the requirement. The department lists replacement of glass in windows or doors, and roof repairs of less than 100 square feet that don't involve decking, among the work that does not require an inspection. TDI also advises homeowners to ask their contractor how they will meet the requirements for an inspection.
Rocky Gudim leads GH Construction, a veteran-owned remodeling company rockport texas homeowners work with on renovations, roofing, and storm-related repairs. He said the question of inspections should come up before any contract is signed. "Down here, a roof or an addition isn't really finished until the paperwork is," Gudim said. "If the inspection piece gets skipped, the homeowner can end up with a nice new roof and a problem when it's time to renew their coverage."
Storm-related repairs are a common starting point. In structural repair rockport texas projects, framing, roof decking, and other load-bearing work typically fall into the categories TDI describes. Larger interior projects can cross the line as well. home renovation rockport texas projects that change exterior walls, openings, or roof structures are planned with inspection timing in mind.
"My advice to a neighbor is to ask two questions before anyone starts: who's handling the inspection, and when," Gudim said. "If the contractor can't answer that clearly, keep looking."
Interior-only work is usually simpler. rockport kitchen remodeling projects that stay inside the existing structure generally involve local permits rather than windstorm certification, though each project should be confirmed before work begins.
The implications for homeowners are significant: skipping the inspection could leave them with a new roof but no windstorm insurance coverage, a risky position in a region vulnerable to hurricanes. For contractors, understanding and communicating these rules is becoming a standard part of doing business along the coast. GH Construction offers complimentary consultations.
