Homer Glen's American Dream Home can help after storms
by Jennie Korb



If a storm has rolled through the area, leaving damage in its wake, who you gonna call?

Homer Glen resident Michael Gray wants to be at the top of residents' lists.

Gray has done local remodeling work out of his house in Homer Glen since 2000, having worked for a construction company and a window manufacturer in the past.

This August, he launched American Dream Home Improvement at 15252 143rd Street in Homer Glen.

They do siding, windows and roofs, of course.

But Gray said what sets them apart is what they're able to do for residents following a big storm, like the microburst that hit the area at the end of July.

American Dream Home Improvement will visit homes to do a free inspection and estimate as to what work the homeowner should be able to get covered by insurance.

They work closely with the insurance company to get that work covered, then complete the work themselves.

The homeowner doesn't have to do anything aside from making the initial call to American Dream Home and their insurance company, then the follow-up call to their insurance company if American Dream Home determines that the repairs are something that would be paid for, Gray said.

"The service that we have is that we help people with their insurance companies," he said.

The homeowner calls American Dream Home and their insurance company; American Dream Home employees meet the insurance company at the home and go over damages. Basically, they make sure the homeowners' interests are represented, Gray said.

American Dream Home will look for what is known as a non-repairable situation--for example, when a roof that has lost shingles is so old and dry, it would make things worse to try to nail new shingles back on.

"People don't know that because 60 shingles flew off, they'll repair your whole roof," Gray said. "Ninety percent of people have no idea what they're entitled to."

Another situation would be if a home has lost vinyl siding that can't be exactly matched with existing siding, he said.

The company tells homeowners that a worst-case scenario is that none of the work is covered by insurance, in which case American Dream Home still doesn't charge for the inspection. Homeowners could, however, get a whole new roof or siding covered by insurance, in which case American Dream gets the job done for reimbursement by insurance.

For more information or to inquire about a service, call (630) 353-1900.