Gotta say, sometimes calling can lead to even more confusion. Last year, a homeowner I worked with got three different answers from three different city employees about roof permits after a storm. Ended up costing him more time and money than if he'd just stuck with the website info. Sometimes the ol' "call directly" advice isn't foolproof either... city hall roulette, anyone?
Yeah, city hall roulette is real...but honestly, websites aren't always reliable either. I've seen plenty of outdated info online, especially after storms when rules and regs change fast. Best bet I've found is to get stuff in writing—email someone directly at the city or county office. At least then you've got a paper trail if things go sideways later. Saved my butt more than once.
Emails are helpful, sure, but I've had better luck just calling directly. Sometimes emails sit unanswered for days, especially after storms when they're swamped. A quick call can clear things up faster—plus, you can always jot down who you spoke with just in case.
Calling definitely has its perks, especially when you're dealing with urgent storm damage. But honestly, I've found emails can sometimes be a lifesaver too. Last year, after a big storm, I called and got bounced around between departments—felt like forever on hold. Eventually, I sent an email with clear photos and details of the damage. Surprisingly, they replied within a day, and having everything documented in writing made the follow-up way easier.
I guess it depends on the situation and maybe even the company you're dealing with. Calls are great for immediate answers, but emails give you a solid paper trail if things get complicated later. Maybe a mix of both is the sweet spot...
I've had mixed luck with emails myself. Had a similar storm damage issue a couple years back—emailed detailed pics and everything, but it took them almost a week to reply. Ended up calling anyway and got it sorted faster. You're right though, having that paper trail saved me later when they tried to bill me twice... guess there's no perfect solution, just gotta roll the dice and hope for the best sometimes.
