What should I check on my Calgary home after a hail storm?

Post-hail inspection checklist for Calgary homes: (1) Window screens — the most commonly damaged item in smaller storms; bent frames and torn mesh are immediately visible. (2) AC condenser fins — hail bends the aluminum fins on the exterior AC unit, reducing airflow efficiency. (3) Exterior caulk — hail impact can crack caulk bead joints at windows and doors. (4) Painted wood surfaces (trim, fascia, soffits) — hail chipping paint exposes wood to moisture. (5) Siding — vinyl siding shows impact dents or cracks; wood siding can crack or show exposed wood where paint chipped. (6) Roof shingles — look for visible dents, missing granules, or broken shingles from the attic hatch or with binoculars from the ground. (7) Skylights — check for cracks or chips in the acrylic glazing.

How often does Calgary get damaging hail?

Calgary is located in Canada's most hail-active corridor — the region from Calgary to Red Deer sees more large-hail events per year than anywhere else in Canada. The hail season in Calgary runs from May through September, with peak activity in June and July. Hail of 2cm (golf ball) or larger — the size that causes significant damage to property — occurs in Calgary on average 3 to 5 times per decade for any given property. The August 2024 Calgary hailstorm (hail up to 11cm in some areas) caused an estimated $3 billion in insured losses and remains one of the costliest natural disaster events in Canadian history.

What hail damage can a handyman repair in Calgary?

Handyman-scope hail damage repairs in Calgary: window screen re-screening or frame replacement, exterior caulk replacement at windows and doors (after hail impact), touch-up painting on chipped exterior trim and fascia, caulk and paint repair on soffit and fascia panels, AC condenser fin straightening (using a fin comb — a tool for combing bent fins back into alignment), minor wood trim repair where hail impact has cracked or split painted wood.

What hail damage requires a roofer or insurance in Calgary?

Roofing company scope for Calgary hail damage: shingle damage assessment (requires someone on the roof), roof replacement or spot repair, skylight replacement, and hail damage documentation for insurance claims (most Calgary roofing companies provide storm damage assessments for insurance purposes). An insurance adjuster must assess damage before you authorize a roofer for an insurance claim — do not have work done before the adjuster has seen the damage. The Calgary hail season and the insurance company scheduling backlog means adjusters can take 2 to 6 weeks to visit after a major storm event.

How much does post-hail handyman repair cost in Calgary?

Post-hail handyman repair costs in Calgary: window screen re-screen (customer's frame): from $45 per screen. Window screen frame replacement (new frame and mesh): from $65 per screen. Exterior caulk replacement (per window): from $45. AC condenser fin straightening: from $65. Exterior paint touch-up on trim and fascia (per 10 linear feet): from $45. These repairs are typically not large enough to meet a homeowner insurance deductible ($500 to $2,500 on most Calgary policies) on their own, but the total damage assessment after a significant hail event often does. Document all damage with dated photos before any repair work.

Hail Damage Assessment Calgary

The post-hail inspection sequence

Inspect in this order — from least to most height-dependent:

Window screens — walk the perimeter and check each screen for bent frames and torn mesh. Calgary hail regularly damages window screens even in moderate storms.
AC condenser unit — look at the exterior fins on all four sides. Hail-bent fins appear as compressed, closed-together aluminum strips (they should be open and parallel). Bent fins reduce cooling efficiency but are straightenable with a fin comb.
Exterior caulk at windows and doors — press gently on caulk joints. Hail impact can crack an otherwise intact bead, leaving the crack hidden until rain infiltrates it. Look for hairline cracks along the caulk face.
Painted wood surfaces — check fascia, soffits, window trim, and wood siding (if applicable) for impact chips. Each chip is a moisture entry point.
Vinyl siding panels — impact dents in vinyl siding look like small circular depressions. In a major hail event, there may be hundreds on south-facing and west-facing walls.
Skylights — check from inside (look up at the skylight for impact cracks) and from the ground outside with binoculars.
Roof shingles — from the ground with binoculars, look for bare spots (missing granules), broken shingles, or visible dents. Any suspected roof damage warrants a roofer assessment.

Handyman vs. roofing vs. insurance: scope division

Damage type	Who handles it
Window screen damage	Handyman
AC condenser fin damage	Handyman (fin comb)
Exterior caulk cracking	Handyman
Exterior paint chipping on trim	Handyman
Roof shingle damage	Roofing company + insurance adjuster
Skylight glazing damage	Roofing or window company + insurance
Vinyl siding panel damage	Siding contractor + insurance (if extensive)
Eavestrough (gutter) denting	Eaves company + insurance (if systemic)

Documentation before repair: important for Calgary insurance claims

If you believe your hail damage may be significant enough to file an insurance claim, document all damage with date-stamped photos before any repair work. An insurance adjuster who arrives after a repair has been completed cannot assess the pre-repair condition. Most Calgary home insurance policies have deductibles of $500 to $2,500 — a post-hail assessment may find total damage well above this threshold once all affected surfaces are inventoried.

Post-hail handyman repair pricing in Calgary

Scope	Starting price
Window screen re-screen (existing frame)	From $45/screen
Window screen frame + mesh replacement	From $65/screen
Exterior caulk replacement (per window)	From $45
AC condenser fin straightening	From $65
Exterior paint touch-up (per 10 lm of trim)	From $45
Full post-hail assessment + repair quote	From $65 (credited on repair booking)

Post-hail assessment and repair in Calgary

After a storm, we assess all handyman-scope damage, provide a written list with photos for insurance documentation, and quote all repairs in one visit.

View hail storm repair service →Request a post-hail assessment

Steve serves all Calgary areas