Job overview: The owners of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Heber City (Utah roofing) had pursued a wind and hail claim on their own and been told the damage was wear and tear, not storm damage. King Roofing came into that existing claim, inspected the roof, documented the storm damage with photos and measurements, and met the adjuster on the roof so the carrier could review the evidence. After the claim was approved, we replaced about 25,000 square feet of roof with GAF Timberline HDZ® shingles while the hotel stayed open.
Project at a glance
| Property | Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Heber City, Utah |
|---|---|
| Building | Three stories, with timber-trimmed gables, tower rooms and a chimney |
| Roof size | About 25,000 sq ft across 43 roof planes |
| Pitch | Mostly 6/12, with some 8/12 |
| Cause | Wind and hail |
| Our role | Inspection, measurements, storm-damage documentation, meeting the adjuster, line-item estimate, roof replacement |
| New roof | GAF Timberline HDZ® shingles in Pewter Gray |
| Underlayment | GAF WeatherWatch® leak barrier at eaves and valleys; GAF FeltBuster® synthetic underlayment |
| Ventilation | GAF Cobra® RidgeRunner® filtered ridge vent |
| Install | December 2024: two days, plus a half day for cleanup and equipment removal |
| Hotel status | Open throughout |
| Owner's out-of-pocket cost | $5,000 deductible |
The challenge
Before we were involved, the owners had pursued their wind and hail claim on their own, and their carrier had told them the damage was wear and tear, not storm damage.
Wear and tear and storm damage can look alike from the parking lot. The difference shows up on the roof: hail strikes, shingles creased or torn by wind, and damage that matches the storm. On a roof with 43 separate planes, timber gables, tower rooms and a chimney, showing that takes a full, roof-wide inspection and good records.
How we documented the storm damage
We help through the claim process. We came into that existing claim as the owners' roofing contractor, and our part was the evidence. We inspected the roof slope by slope, photographed the storm damage, measured the roof with a GAF QuickMeasure report, and met the adjuster on the roof to walk through what we found. We also prepared a line-item estimate based on those measurements and Heber City's code requirements, so the carrier could review the evidence against a clear scope of work. We didn't argue the policy or negotiate coverage. That stays between the owners and their carrier, and we're a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. After the carrier reviewed the evidence, the claim was approved.
When work came up during the project that wasn't in the original scope, we sent invoices and completion photos so each item could be checked.
The roof replacement
Staging. We used a rented forklift to load materials onto the roof and set five 20-yard roll-off dumpsters for the tear-off.
Keeping the hotel open. The hotel stayed open during the work. Parking and foot traffic were directed to a safe area away from the work zone, and tarps covered the walls and landscaping below the eaves.
The install. In December 2024, the install took two days, with a half day for cleanup and equipment removal. Crews tore the roof off to the deck, then installed WeatherWatch leak barrier at the eaves and valleys, FeltBuster synthetic underlayment, Pro-Start® starter, new valley metal and Timberline HDZ shingles. The chimney got new counter flashing, and pipe flashings and vents were painted to match.
What we installed
- GAF Timberline HDZ® shingles, Pewter Gray
- GAF Seal-A-Ridge® hip and ridge caps, Pewter Gray
- GAF Pro-Start® starter strip
- GAF WeatherWatch® mineral-surfaced leak barrier at the eaves and valleys
- GAF FeltBuster® synthetic underlayment
- GAF Cobra® RidgeRunner® filtered ridge vent
- White drip edge, valley metal, step and L-flashing, chimney counter flashing and new pipe flashings
Code items for a Heber City roof
Heber City sits at about 5,645 feet. For this property, the local code requirements included ice barrier at the eaves, drip edge, valley liner and underlayment. We installed all four.
Results
The claim was approved, and the roof was replaced while the hotel stayed open.
The project total was about $149,600. The owner's out-of-pocket cost was their $5,000 deductible; the remaining, about $144,600, was covered through the approved claim. Every claim is different. Coverage depends on your policy and the carrier's decision.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between storm damage and wear and tear on a roof?
Wear and tear builds up slowly: granules wear off across the roof, and shingles curl or crack with age. Storm damage happens all at once: hail knocks granules loose in random spots and can bruise the shingle, and wind can crease, lift or tear shingles. A careful inspection looks for damage that matches a storm, not just age.
What does good storm-damage documentation include?
On this hotel it meant slope-by-slope photos of the damage, accurate roof measurements, a line-item estimate tied to local code requirements, and our team on the roof when the adjuster inspected it.
Can you help if my carrier said the damage was wear and tear?
We help you through the claim process. We can inspect your roof, document what we find and meet your adjuster on the roof. The coverage decision is your carrier's. Every claim is different. Coverage depends on your policy and the carrier's decision.
Is King Roofing a public adjuster?
No. We're a roofing contractor. We document the damage and meet your adjuster on the roof, but we don't argue your policy or negotiate coverage. That stays between you and your carrier.
What does a Heber City roof need for snow and ice?
For this property, the local code requirements included ice barrier at the eaves, drip edge, valley liner and underlayment. We installed all four, plus leak barrier in the valleys.
Schedule a free roof inspection
Get a Free Roof Health Report. Call (385) 450-5464 or book a free inspection. See our projects.
Call