Zurix Roofing and Repairs President Lee Smith points to hail damage on a home in West Knoxville
Local roofers are still busy with repair jobs, six months after severe weather caused widespread hail damage across East Tennessee. Many insurance companies allow a year to file a claim for damage, and homeowners are advised to do their homework before hiring a contractor.
Zurix Roofing and Repairs is a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville. Zurix President Lee Smith says he encourages his customers to shop around before signing a contract.
"You want to invite this person into your home, sit down at your kitchen table and go over everything. Do you feel comfortable with that person to do that? If you're questioning anything you probably need to go and move onto somebody else," he advises.
Smith says Zurix has completed more than 100 homes since the April storms. Hearing about other contractors' hurried work makes him "feel sick" and he says he always strives for a quality job.
"Its not just the shingles, its the system. And if you're ripping it off, you might as well do it right the first time," he said.
On Monday, Zurix crews were working in a West Knoxville neighborhood off South Gallaher View Road. Project Manager Steve Herbert joked about the recent long hours.
"We only work half days, six days a week. So its from seven to seven (a.m. to p.m.) ... 6 days a week. That's all!"
Herbert and Smith say they work with their customers to explain how good quality work can be affordable.
"That first set of paperwork from the insurance company is their estimate for the work that needs to be done," said Herbert. "That may not exactly be the work that needs to be done."
Smith says the demand for work is still high, but he tries to keep the schedule manageable. He says Zurix is only booked about three weeks in advance.
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