The days following a serious disaster in your home (for example, where your roof was blown off) can be very hectic for homeowners. Unfortunately, this will not prevent some homeowners from scamming disaster victims. Here are a few tips for protection from such contractors:
Get Multiple Quotes for Repairs
There are two main reasons why it's advisable to get multiple repair quotes before settling on one. First, it gives you the chance to know what different contractors are asking for so that you can (hopefully) work with a reasonable budget. The other reason is that you can use the lower quotes from competing contractors to negotiate a good deal with your chosen contractor.
Be Wary Of Extra Sweet Deals
This is an old piece of advice, but it is still true today just as it was when coined. Those who are looking to rip you off want to get their money as soon as possible, which means they will quote something they think you are willing to pay and you can pay. This means their offer will be likely lower than offers from real contractors. Therefore, you should be suspicious if you receive multiple offers that are more or less the same (small variations are normal and expected), but then receive another offer that is exceedingly low.
Confirm the Authenticity of Businesses
There are criminals posing as contractors who don't even have a physical location for their businesses. Having a physical address or office is dangerous for these characters because it leaves a lot of paper trail and makes them easy to trail. Therefore, before dealing with a building contractor, research their address and confirm that they actually have an office there.
Don't Give Out Personal Information Easily
It is not just your reconstruction money that these seedy characters will be after; even your personal information will be fair game if they think they can deceive you. Therefore, be on guard at all terms and double confirm everything if a "contractor" wants more personal information than you think is necessary. You can always double check with the head office if you suspect something is amiss.
Don't Pay Repair Costs Upfront
Lastly, you should not pay the contractor all costs upfront; pay a deposit and then settle the rest once the project is completed to your satisfaction. This will protect you on two main fronts. First, it ensures that if the contractor runs away with your money, the amount will be minimal. Secondly, it ensures that if the contractor does shoddy work, they don't get the whole payment.
Contact a homeowners insurance agent for more information on getting the best rates!
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