Choosing the Best Hurricane Shutter Company in Myrtle Beach: A 5-Point Checklist

When you start searching for the “best hurricane shutter company in Myrtle Beach,” you’re making a decision that’s just as critical as the shutters themselves. You can buy the most expensive, impact-rated shutter on the market, but if it’s installed by a cut-rate, uninsured, or inexperienced company, it can fail catastrophically. A faulty installation can void your product warranty, get your insurance claim denied, and—worst of all—leave your home vulnerable.

The Myrtle Beach market is full of choices, from established local hurricane shutter experts to “storm chaser” outfits that pop up after a weather event. As a local, family-owned business that has been protecting Carolina homes since 2007, we believe an educated homeowner is our best customer.

Before you sign any contract, use this 5-point checklist. Any company that cannot give you a confident, immediate “YES” to all five points should be avoided.

The 5-Point Checklist for Vetting a Myrtle Beach Shutter Company

1. “Can I see your *complete* insurance certificates right now?”

This is the most important question you can ask. If the answer is “Oh, we’re fully insured,” that’s not good enough. You need to see the actual, current, valid certificates for three specific policies:

• General Liability (GL): This covers damage to your property. If an installer drops a heavy shutter and it smashes your brand-new HVAC unit or a neighbor’s car, this policy pays for it.
• Workers’ Compensation (WC): This is the big one. If a worker falls from a ladder on your property and the company doesn’t have Workers’ Comp, you are personally liable. Your homeowner’s policy will not cover it, and you could be sued for their medical bills and lost wages.
• Commercial Auto: This covers the company’s vehicles while on your property.

The American Hurricane Shutters Answer: Yes. We carry full General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Commercial Auto policies. On top of that, we carry a $2,000,000 umbrella policy for a massive, extra layer of protection and peace of mind for our clients and our crews. We provide these certificates with our quotes. No risk. No liability. Just protection.

2. “Do you use subcontractors or your own employees?”

This is a question many Myrtle Beach shutter company reviews don’t cover, but it’s critical. Many companies you see are just sales-and-marketing offices. They sell you a product and then “sub out” the installation to the cheapest crew they can find. This creates a massive accountability gap.

When a problem arises, the sales company blames the subcontractor, and the subcontractor is long gone. Subcontractors are also paid by the job, not the hour, incentivizing them to cut corners and work dangerously fast. Worse, they often are *not* covered by the sales company’s Workers’ Comp policy, re-opening that huge liability gap for you.

The American Hurricane Shutters Answer: We NEVER use unknown subcontractors. Our installation crews are our employees. They are trained by us, paid by us, and fully covered by our insurance. Our owner, Matthew Burns, is personally on-site for countless jobs to ensure the quality of the work. This means you have a single point of accountability: us. You can learn more about our installation process here.

3. “Are you a local, established company?”

After a big storm, “storm chasers” flood coastal areas like Myrtle Beach. They are often from out-of-state, offer a “cash-only” deal, and perform shoddy, un-permitted work. Six months later, when your shutter fails, their phone is disconnected, and your “warranty” is worthless.

You need a true local hurricane shutter expert with deep roots in the community. Look for:

• A physical address (not just a P.O. Box).
• A history of operating in the Carolinas for at least 5-10 years.
• Memberships in local professional organizations (like the HBA).

The American Hurricane Shutters Answer: Yes. We are a family-owned, disabled-owned business that has been in continuous operation, serving thousands of customers from Pawleys Island, SC, to New Bern, NC, since 2007. Our headquarters is at 1200 Castle Hayne Road in Wilmington, NC. We are a proud, long-standing member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (HBA). We’re not just working here; we live here. We’ll be here to service your shutters long after the storm is gone.

4. “Do you offer a wide variety of products from different brands?”

Beware the “one-trick pony.” If a company *only* sells accordion shutters, they will tell you that accordion shutters are the perfect solution for every single window, door, and patio on your home. This is simply not true.

A true expert will act as a consultant, not a salesperson. They should have a complete toolbox of different shutter types and brands. This allows them to design a custom solution for your home. Maybe stylish Bahama shutters are best for the front of your house, while more affordable accordion shutters are perfect for the back, and a hurricane screen is the only logical choice for your lanai.

The American Hurricane Shutters Answer: Yes. We are not locked into a single manufacturer. We have built relationships with the best-in-class suppliers in the industry. This includes:

• ASSA (Eastern Metal Supply): For their industry-leading Bertha HV Storm Panels, Accordions, and Bahama Shutters.
• Alutech United: For their premium Rated Hurricane Pulldown (Rolldown) Shutters and StormTex Screens.
• Town & Country: For their high-end, luxury UltraView and Fullview Articulating Blade Bahama Shutters.

This variety allows us to be your consultant, mixing and matching products to find the perfect blend of style, convenience, and price for your specific needs and budget.

5. “Can you show me a proven track record of your local work?”

This is the final “proof.” Any company can *claim* to be the best. The best ones can *show* you. When you’re looking for Myrtle Beach shutter company reviews, nothing beats a visual portfolio of high-quality, completed jobs *in your area*.

Ask for a gallery of their past work. Ask for references. A company that is proud of its work will be eager to share it.

The American Hurricane Shutters Answer: Yes. We have a long list of thousands of satisfied customers across the Carolinas. We invite all our potential clients to browse our Past Projects Gallery. You can see high-resolution photos of our in-house crews installing the exact products you’re considering, on homes just like yours. This is our resume, and we’re proud of it.

The American Hurricane Shutters Difference: A Summary

This checklist isn’t a sales tactic—it’s a critical tool for your protection. Here’s how we stack up against the “average” installer at a glance:

The 5-Point Question	The “Average” Installer	American Hurricane Shutters
1. Fully Insured? (GL, WC, Auto)	“We’re insured.” (Partial/No WC)	YES. GL, WC, Auto + a $2M Umbrella Policy.
2. Uses Subcontractors?	Yes, almost always.	NO. NEVER. Only our own in-house, trained employees.
3. Local & Established?	“Pop-up” or “Storm Chaser.”	YES. Local, family-owned, and trusted since 2007.
4. Wide Product Variety?	No, “One-Trick Pony.”	YES. We carry all major types from ASSA, Alutech, & more.
5. Proven Track Record?	Vague claims, stock photos.	YES. Thousands of customers & a gallery of local work.

Conclusion: Choose the Company That Gives You Peace of Mind

Your search for the top-rated hurricane shutters in SC should end with a company that gives you top-rated peace of mind. The company you choose to install your shutters is a long-term partner in protecting your home. Don’t gamble that partnership on a “too-good-to-be-true” price from an uninsured or unproven company.

Choose the local, fully-insured experts who have been here, will be here, and who stand behind their work with a real name and a real reputation.