The code upgrade stuff really caught me off guard too. I figured insurance would cover everything, but turns out “like for like” doesn’t mean “up to current code.” I had to pay for new flashing and an extra vent because the city said my old setup wasn’t legal anymore. That was about $2,800 on top of what insurance paid—pretty rough.
Anyone else notice inspectors seem way more strict after a big storm? Mine checked every single detail, even the nailing pattern on the underlayment. Maybe they’re just making sure no one’s cutting corners when there’s so much work going on at once.
I’ve been debating whether “code upgrade” coverage is worth it too. It’s not cheap, but if your house is older or you know your area has strict codes, it might save you from a nasty surprise. I guess it depends how much risk you’re willing to take. Has anyone actually used that coverage and felt like it paid off?
That “like for like” insurance language trips up a lot of people, honestly. I see it all the time—folks think their policy will handle everything, but the second the city inspector walks in, suddenly you’re on the hook for whatever’s changed in the code since your house was built. It’s frustrating, especially with older homes. I’ve seen people get blindsided by stuff like GFCI outlets, new venting requirements, or even just the type of fasteners allowed now. That $2,800 you mentioned? Not at all unusual, unfortunately.
After a big storm, inspectors do tend to get a lot more detail-oriented. Part of it’s just the sheer volume of repairs happening—there’s always a few contractors trying to cut corners, and the city doesn’t want to get blamed for missed issues down the line. I’ve had homeowners complain about “nitpicking,” but honestly, I’d rather see a thorough inspection than have someone’s roof fail again next year because a crew rushed through it. Still, I get that it feels like overkill when you’re already stressed and paying out of pocket.
As for code upgrade coverage, I’m pretty opinionated: if your house is more than 20 years old, or you know your city likes to update codes every few years, it’s worth at least getting a quote. I’ve seen it save people thousands—one guy I worked with had to rewire half his kitchen after a fire, and insurance only covered the old setup. His neighbor had code upgrade coverage and paid almost nothing out of pocket for similar work. On the other hand, if your place is newer or you’re in a rural area where codes don’t change much, maybe it’s not as critical.
It’s one of those things that feels like a waste until you need it. Kind of like flood insurance—nobody wants to pay for it, but when you’re the unlucky one, you’re glad you did. I wish insurance companies were clearer about what’s actually covered, but I guess that’s wishful thinking...
That’s a really solid breakdown. I see people get caught off guard by those code changes all the time—especially after storms, when everyone’s already stressed. It’s frustrating, but you’re right: a thorough inspection now can save way bigger headaches later. Hang in there, it’s tough but you’re not alone dealing with this stuff.
- Inspections are great, but honestly, they don’t always catch the hidden stuff. After our last storm, we did a full walk-through and still missed some water damage behind the drywall.
- Sometimes, waiting a bit before jumping into repairs can actually help—let things dry out, see what really needs fixing. Rushing into everything at once can mean paying for stuff you don’t actually need to fix.
- Code changes are a pain, but in my experience, inspectors aren’t always super strict after a big storm, especially if you’re just repairing, not remodeling.
- Insurance adjusters can be hit or miss. Ours lowballed the first estimate, so we had to push back with photos and receipts.
- For us, the biggest expense wasn’t materials—it was labor, especially when everyone in the area is trying to hire the same few contractors at once.
- I get the logic behind thorough inspections, but sometimes a phased approach (fix the urgent stuff, wait on the cosmetic) saves money and stress.
- Not saying skip the inspection, just… don’t assume it’ll catch everything or that you have to do it all at once.
I hear you on inspections missing stuff—honestly, I’ve seen it happen more than I’d like to admit. After Hurricane Ida, I did a post-storm inspection for a neighbor who thought everything was fine because the drywall looked untouched. Turns out, moisture meters picked up dampness behind the baseboards, and a week later, mold started popping up. Visual checks just don’t cut it for hidden water damage, especially if you’re dealing with older homes or questionable repairs from previous storms.
Waiting before jumping into repairs makes sense, but there’s a fine line. If you let things “dry out” without opening up the walls or pulling up flooring, you might be letting mold get a head start. I get not wanting to rip everything apart right away, but sometimes a little proactive demo saves a ton of money down the line.
Labor costs are brutal after a storm, no doubt. I’ve seen folks pay double just because everyone’s desperate. If you can DIY some of the demo or drying, it helps, but obviously not everyone’s comfortable with that. Inspections aren’t perfect, but skipping them or delaying too long can end up costing more than you’d think.
