Need help / advice with Texas Windstorm problem

[BayHarborite]

The short version,
Was paid months ago on a claim filed due to damages resulting from the wind / hail storm in April I think it was. Get a call from my insurance provider telling me that Texas Windstorm was reviewing my file recently and noticed that in aerial photos, the stairs from the yard to the porch were not located in the some place they were pre IKE. They proceed to tell me that Texas Windstorm will require a certificate on the stairs or will cancel my policy soon.

Facts: I do not have a certificate. I built the stairs in the weeks following IKE so that I could enter my home. I built them to last, but they were not "engineered".

Looks like I may have to hire an Engineer, get it inspected etc.

Anyone have a similar issue? Need some direction or names.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. - Giant money grab in my opinion

[kenny]

You have no recourse except to get them inspected by a windstorm approved engineer. They are listed at their website or Texas department of insurance. TWI are a chicken**** operation. IMO

[ROGUECUSTOMRODS]

Yep. The whole wind storm thing is a joke along with the insurance companies. The sad truth is that your stairs are probably built perfectly fine but untill they have that engineer stamp its a no go. Its getting out of hand. Dont try to build a boat shed or lay concrete slab either. Everything has been a hassle since post ike

[planohog]

I have a home near the bay and it was built to the windstorm specs. I have watched the homes very close to me during every step of construction , I will bet a steak lunch that your stairs have better construction than any of the steps on my home or the ones build this year. It turns out its not the labor that is poor , it is the materials that is poor. You as I do , went down to the lumber getting place and selected the lumber you wanted, each part , examined and selected. These new homes use all the boards and items you found
undesirable , bent , to many knots, layed in the mud for several days.

[Robalo]

Kenny gave the answer-it sucks, but it is correct. Plan on B.O.A.T. (Break Out Another Thousand).

[westbaytroutassasin]

Real quick.... Did you fasten the stairs to the house or are the stairs free floating. The reason I ask is if you did not attach the stairs directly to the main structure then you will be exempt from any engineering requirements and in some cases will reduce your overall insurance cost. I did this at my house in bayou vista.

[BayHarborite]

The stairs are attached to the deck, which is attached to the house.

[Ibtsoom]

I built my carport as a standalone structure just so I wouldn't have to deal with them. If it's attached to your house you'll have to get an engineer out to look at it and make any improvements they require before they'll give you a certificate on it. I used these guys for some roofing work at my parents house - seems like it was 400 bucks or so:Aran & Franklin Engrg Inc

Engineering Consultant
Address: 501 S Noble Rd, Texas City, TX 77591 Phone: (409) 935-5200 Hours: Open today · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

[Curmudgeon]

Need help / advice with Texas Windstorm problem

Just get the sawsall and cut it loose! Lol!