HOUSTON, Texas – Thousands of property owners in the Houston area are dealing with the aftermath of Beryl, one of the most common repairs is fixing or replacing fences.
In Southeast Texas, wood fences are the go-to for homeowners. But when a massive storm hits, it leads to repairs and raises the question: who pays for it?
“This tree got blown down, it hit the light pole and was just balancing between the tree and the line pole. That’s the power of this storm,” said Jeff Brookes, who lost his fence in Beryl.
Beryl packed a punch, with powerful winds affecting power at landfall and for days after. Many homeowners are picking up pieces they didn’t expect to, with trees crashing down and taking fences with them.
“If I would have looked at this, I would have seen this big hole right here,” Arborist Grant Crowell said while pointing to the damage left behind.
The Repair Effort
Armies of fence builders are already at work, excavating new foundations and setting new planks. But who is responsible for the cost of replacing a fence?
“I got a quote, and she is getting a quote, and we’re going to see which way to go,” said Brookes.
“I always tell people to try to be neighborly, work it out with your neighbor.” A 50/50 split is an unwritten rule, but some property owners file a claim with their homeowners’ insurance,” said storm attorney, Rene Sigman.
Insurance Tips
Sigman’s advice for immediate post-storm repairs is to be cautious to avoid getting overcharged.
“Be very careful right now with price increases, price gouging, and contractors coming in charging three times more than it would cost to get your fence done,” Sigman said. “If you have a fence that is down right now, some adjusters can’t even get out there this quick for this storm because they are busy or out of state. So document with photographs, get your receipt, and then submit it to your insurance company.”
However, keep in mind that the check you receive will likely be prorated, factoring in the age of the fence.
“Most fences in Texas that are under homeowners insurance policies are considered other structures, under other coverage, and they are usually paid at the actual cash value, which means you will not get the full amount to replace your fence,” Sigman said.
Additional Tips:
- Get at least three estimates.
- Pull out your policy and read it carefully. Know what you’re entitled to.
- If all else fails, call your agent. You pay them to help guide you through your questions.
Sigman advises doing your due diligence, ensuring the people working on your house have the experience to do the repairs, and most importantly, “Do not pay until they finish the work.”