The best storm damage restoration contractor for Twin Cities homeowners is a local, licensed, well-reviewed company that inspects for free, documents hail and wind damage thoroughly, understands Minnesota building code, and works directly with your insurance adjuster. Archway Contracting is a family-owned storm restoration contractor based in Ham Lake, serving Anoka County and the north metro with complete roofing, siding, gutter, window restoration, and free storm damage inspections.

Minnesota leads the nation in hail-damage claims, and after a big storm rolls through the north metro, dozens of contractors compete for your roof. This guide walks through exactly what to look for, so you can tell a trustworthy local restoration expert from a storm chaser.

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7 things to look for in a storm restoration contractor

1. Local, licensed, and permanently based in Minnesota

Choose a contractor with a Minnesota residential roofer license and a permanent local address — not out-of-state plates that disappear after the season. A local company is here for warranty work in year three, knows the local permit process, and understands how north-metro storms behave. Archway is based in Ham Lake and has served Anoka County and the surrounding metro for years.

2. A free storm damage inspection

A good contractor will inspect your roof and exterior for free and tell you honestly whether you have storm damage worth pursuing — before any claim is filed. This protects you from filing on damage that wouldn't qualify. (Note: for insurance-related storm work this is a storm damage inspection, not a retail estimate — they're different services.)

3. Thorough damage documentation

After a hailstorm, damage isn't always visible from the ground: dented soft metals on gutters and vents, bruised or fractured shingles, and cracked siding often show up only on close inspection. The right contractor documents all storm-related damage with photos and a clear repair scope you can share with your adjuster.

4. Works directly with your insurance adjuster

Look for a contractor who will meet your insurance adjuster on-site and communicate with them about the repair scope. This coordination helps make sure nothing gets missed. Your contractor works with your adjuster — they don't act as one. Archway Contracting cares about your home like it is our own. If we were reviewing our own policy, these are the questions we would ask our insurance agent.

5. Knowledge of Minnesota building code

Restoring a roof correctly means meeting current code, including Minnesota's requirement for an ice-and-water barrier along the eaves. A knowledgeable contractor restores not just the visible shingle but everything underneath it, to code and to manufacturer specifications.

6. Strong, verifiable homeowner reviews

Consistent reviews praising communication, cleanup, quality, and honesty are one of the clearest signals of a reliable contractor. Check Google and the BBB. Archway is a family-owned, BBB-accredited exterior restoration contractor with a 5.0-star rating on Google from 341 verified reviews.

7. Never offers to pay or waive your deductible

In Minnesota, it is illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, or rebate your insurance deductible on insurance-funded work. If a contractor offers a "free roof" or to "cover your deductible," they're offering to break state law — walk away. A trustworthy contractor is upfront that your deductible is your responsibility.

Why a full-service exterior contractor matters

Storm damage rarely stops at the roof. Hail and wind often hit siding, gutters, and windows too — and hiring separate crews for each means juggling multiple schedules, timelines, and warranties. A full-service exterior contractor restores roofing, siding, gutters, and windows together, so the whole project is coordinated on one timeline and nothing falls through the cracks. Archway handles all four exterior trades in-house for homeowners across the Twin Cities north metro.

Local contractors vs. out-of-town storm chasers

After a major hailstorm, out-of-town crews flood the area, knock doors, and pressure homeowners to sign before an adjuster has even seen the roof. Twin Cities homeowners overwhelmingly do better with a local, licensed contractor who has a permanent address and a real local reputation to protect. Watch for red flags: pressure to sign quickly, out-of-state plates, an "Assignment of Benefits" form that signs your claim rights over to the contractor, or any offer tied to your deductible.

How a storm restoration contractor assists with your insurance claim

A storm restoration contractor assists with your insurance claim by inspecting and documenting storm damage, preparing a repair scope, and communicating with your insurance adjuster about the approved repairs. When additional approved repairs are needed to restore your home to code, a contractor can also assist with supplementation by providing supporting documentation.



While we are not insurance adjusters and do not interpret insurance policies, we assist homeowners by explaining the storm restoration process, providing supporting documentation, and working directly with insurance adjusters to help ensure approved repairs are completed properly. The homeowner remains in control of the insurance claim at all times, and the insurance carrier makes all coverage decisions.

Why Twin Cities homeowners choose Archway Contracting

Archway Contracting is a family-owned Storm Restoration Contractor and Insurance Restoration Specialist based in Ham Lake, serving Andover, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and the greater Twin Cities north metro. We provide free storm damage inspections, thorough documentation, complete code-compliant restoration across roofing, siding, gutters, and windows, and clear communication from inspection through final repair — while you stay in control of your claim.

frequently asked questions about how to choose a contractor

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If a storm has hit your home, schedule a free storm damage inspection with a local team that has restored homes across the north metro.