What decides the storm damage plan
After a storm, the priority is safe shutoff, utility coordination, wet equipment evaluation, and surge-damage clues.
The useful inputs are water exposure, burning smell, damaged mast, tripped breakers, failed electronics; together they determine whether the job is a repair, an equipment installation, a new circuit, or a larger service question.
The storm damage mistake to avoid
Do not re-energize wet or damaged equipment just because power came back on.
For homeowners after wind, hail, lightning, or water intrusion, that is the detail to resolve before price, equipment, or finish choices lock the project into the wrong scope.
How to get a usable storm damage scope
Start with water exposure and burning smell.
Then confirm damaged mast, tripped breakers, and failed electronics.
A useful estimate should say which of those items are confirmed, which need field verification, and what the finished work will include.
Storm Damage Electrical Checklist: planning notes
Water exposure
Start with water exposure. For storm damage, this establishes the baseline and keeps the scope from being built on an assumption.
Burning smell
Document burning smell with a photo or model number when it is safe to do so. It can change equipment selection, access, and labor for storm damage.
Damaged mast
Confirm damaged mast before materials are ordered. This is one of the details that can turn a straightforward storm damage job into a panel, feeder, or inspection question.
Tripped breakers
Ask how tripped breakers affects the written estimate. The answer should identify what is included, what still needs field verification, and who handles any coordination.
Failed electronics
Keep failed electronics in the final walkthrough. For homeowners after wind, hail, lightning, or water intrusion, it is a practical check that the finished work matches the reason the project started.
