What to Do After a Hail Storm in Dakota County: A Homeowner's Checklist

By Bischel Building, a family-owned general contractor in Farmington, MN. Updated October 2026.

Don't sign anything with a contractor until you've decided who you want to hire.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry notes that wind and hail storms are common in Minnesota, and contractors looking for repair work are never far behind. Here's a practical checklist for homeowners in Farmington, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan, Burnsville, Hastings and across Dakota County.

1. Make sure it's safe

Before you walk around or go back into a damaged home, check for downed power lines, broken glass and structural damage. The Minnesota Department of Commerce advises making sure the structure is safe, with utilities off if needed, before re-entering a home that's been seriously damaged. Stay off the roof. A wet, hail-battered roof is slippery, and damaged areas can be weak.

2. Document the damage before repairs

Take photos or video of everything before you clean up or fix anything. That's one of the first steps the Department of Commerce recommends. From the ground, look for:

• Dents in gutters, downspouts, metal roof vents and window wraps
• Shingle granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts
• Cracked, holed or loose siding, especially on the side facing the storm
• Broken windows, torn screens and damaged doors
• Spatter marks or dents on decks, fences, mailboxes and air conditioner fins
• Water stains on ceilings and walls, or damp insulation in the attic

Write down the date and time of the storm. Hail damage on asphalt shingles can be hard to see from the ground, so a close inspection is worth it even if the roof looks fine from the driveway.

3. Contact your insurance company

If you plan to file a claim, the Department of Commerce recommends reporting the loss as soon as possible and keeping your claim number and documentation. Your policy has the details on deadlines, deductibles and what's covered, and only your insurer can make coverage decisions. In 2022, Commerce issued a consumer alert encouraging homeowners to review their policies for changes to wind and hail coverage, such as separate deductibles or cosmetic damage exclusions, which often change at renewal. If you're not sure what your policy covers, ask your agent.

4. Prevent more damage, and keep receipts

Commerce advises making cost-effective temporary repairs to prevent further damage, like covering a broken window or tarping a leaking roof, and keeping all receipts in case they're reimbursable. Don't throw away damaged property, except perishables, until your insurer has had a chance to see it.

5. Be careful who you sign with

After a big storm, door-to-door salespeople often show up in Dakota County neighborhoods. Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) offers clear warnings:

• If you sign it, it's a contract. Some representatives ask for a signature "to inspect the roof" or "to talk to your insurance company." DLI notes that no written authority is needed for either, and what you're signing is often a binding price agreeable contract that can carry a hefty cancellation fee.
• No one can pay your deductible. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 325E.66) prohibits contractors from offering to pay all or part of your deductible, or offering anything of value, like a yard-sign allowance, free upgrades or a free meal, to get you to sign.
• Contractors can't act as your adjuster. Unless they're licensed as a public adjuster, contractors can't interpret your policy, advise you on coverage or negotiate your claim.
• Check the license. Verify that the contractor holds a valid Minnesota license on DLI's license lookup, check the Better Business Bureau, and ask for a local address and references.

6. Know your cancellation rights

Minnesota gives homeowners some important protections. If a contractor came to your door uninvited and you signed a contract in your home, the home solicitation sale law (Minn. Stat. 325G.07) generally lets you cancel before midnight of the third business day. And if you signed a residential roofing contract to be paid by insurance, Minn. Stat. 326B.811 lets you cancel in writing within 72 hours after your insurer notifies you that the claim was denied.

7. Get a thorough inspection and a detailed estimate

A good contractor will inspect the whole house, including roof, flashing, vents, gutters, siding, windows, decks and the attic, photograph what they find, and give you a written, itemized estimate. Minnesota law requires contractors doing insurance-paid work to give you a good-faith itemized estimate and a written notice about the deductible rules.

At Bischel Building, that's how we work. We inspect and photograph the damage, write an itemized estimate you can share with your insurer, can meet your adjuster to point out the damage and discuss the repair scope if you'd like, and then do the repairs with our own family-owned team. You stay in charge of your claim. Learn more on our wind and hail damage restoration and insurance restoration process pages.

8. Plan the repairs

Most cities require permits for re-roofing and re-siding, and some, like Lakeville, let contractors email photos of the ice and water barrier and house wrap for inspection. Roof replacements depend on temperature, so a fall storm may mean temporary protection until conditions allow. Repairs to siding, windows and interiors can usually go ahead sooner.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We inspect and repair storm damage across Dakota County and the south metro, including Farmington, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan, Burnsville and Hastings, and every town on our service area page.

Related services

• Wind and hail damage restoration
• Insurance restoration process
• Roofing
• Siding