Chicago Suburbs Storm Repair Estimate Checklist

Use the current NWS survey as context, not a property diagnosis

The Country Club Hills to Glenwood tornado was rated EF-1 with estimated 110 mph peak winds. NWS found roofing materials removed from multiple apartment buildings near Pottawatomie School and exterior-wall and roof damage at an apartment complex on 171st Street in Hazel Crest. The Lynwood to Munster EF-1, also estimated at 110 mph, damaged exterior walls and roofs on several homes near Heritage Middle School.

The same survey documents destructive straight-line winds beyond the tornado paths. In southern Cook and eastern Will counties, estimated 80 to 100 mph winds caused widespread tree, structure, and power-infrastructure damage. In Lake County, estimated 80 to 90 mph winds blew part of the roof from a Waukegan apartment building. NWS said additional brief tornadoes may have occurred, but they were not confirmed in this preliminary update. Do not turn that possibility into a claim about a specific neighborhood or home.

Handle safety, documentation, and ownership responsibility first

Stay away from downed lines, unstable trees, damaged walls, sagging ceilings, standing water near electrical equipment, and areas restricted by local officials. Do not climb onto a damaged roof. The Illinois Department of Insurance advises contacting the insurer promptly, photographing damage before cleanup or temporary repairs when safe, making reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further loss, and keeping every receipt. It also advises obtaining the insurer's agreement before entering a permanent-repair contract.

For a condominium, townhome, or apartment building, confirm in writing whether the owner, association, or property manager controls the roof, exterior walls, common systems, and insurance claim before authorizing work. A resident should not sign a private repair contract for a component another party is responsible for maintaining.

Separate emergency stabilization from the permanent repair

Tree removal, tarping, board-up, temporary weatherproofing, debris removal, and securing loose materials solve immediate problems. They are not the same scope as permanent roof, siding, framing, masonry, electrical, insulation, drywall, window, or door replacement. Ask for separate descriptions and prices so today's safety work does not silently become an open-ended reconstruction agreement.

If decking, sheathing, trusses, framing, or water damage cannot be confirmed until materials are removed, require unit prices or a written change-order process. The estimate should say who documents hidden conditions, who approves added work, and how the price and schedule change before that work begins.

Make every storm-repair estimate describe the same job

For roof work, compare measured roof area, tear-off layers, decking terms, underlayment, ice and water protection, flashing, drip edge, ventilation, shingles or membrane, fastening, gutters, permits, disposal, cleanup, and separate material and workmanship warranties. Require the estimate to identify the damaged area and the evidence supporting repair versus replacement.

For siding, exterior walls, or tree-impact repairs, separate structural framing, sheathing, weather barrier, insulation, masonry, electrical work, interior finish, engineering, exact product specifications, color matching, and temporary protection. When comparing bids, remove allowances and exclusions that make one total look lower without covering the same work.

Use Illinois contract and roofing-license safeguards

For covered Illinois home repair or remodeling work over $1,000, the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires a written contract or work order before work starts. It must state the total cost, list parts and materials with reasonable particularity, disclose any estimate charge, and identify the business and its address. The law also requires contractors to provide the state's Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights pamphlet; review the current statute and contract rather than relying on a sales summary.

The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act adds roofing-specific terms, including a written scope and materials, approximate dates and cost, contractor and insurer information where applicable, cancellation and deposit terms, and a 72-hour rescission clause with a full deposit refund. It also bars a roofer from promising to absorb an insurance deductible. Verify the roofer in IDFPR's live license lookup. These summaries are educational, not legal advice; confirm how current law applies to a particular contract with the appropriate agency or an attorney.

Confirm the exact permit office and keep insurance roles separate

Permit and contractor-registration rules change at municipal boundaries. Country Club Hills publishes permits for alterations and other covered repairs; Homewood lists roofing among permit-required improvements; Waukegan says roofing generally requires a permit unless the Building Official exempts a minor repair; and Munster says re-roofing and re-siding require permits and every contractor working in town must be licensed locally. Confirm the rule for the property's exact address before work starts and put permit, fee, and inspection responsibility in the estimate.

Illinois law says a home-repair contractor may provide an estimate and discuss repair options, but may not represent a homeowner on an insurance claim or file the claim for the insured. Keep the contractor's repair scope, the insurer's coverage decision, and any licensed claim representation distinct. ScopeCheck does not inspect damage, adjust or submit claims, negotiate with insurers, or represent homeowners.

Free - no account - no upload

Check the quote you have

Choose the project type and answer one simple question at a time.

Plain-English answers

Frequently asked questions