When your home is involved in a disaster, you usually want to get it repaired as soon as possible but all the home repair companies and restoration contractors that you try appear to be fully booked. It is at this time that you become particularly vulnerable to being ripped off by someone who knows the situation and just wants to make some money without really knowing how to do a proper job. How do you prevent falling for these disaster repair scams?
Check that the Contractor You Hire Is Properly Licensed and Insured
The first thing you should always ensure when calling in a disaster repair contractor is that they have the correct licensing for your state. You should also check on their insurance and who will be covered if anything goes wrong, the last thing you need at this stage is to have more go wrong with your home and have it cost even more to fix.
Check on References and with the Better Business Bureau or Home Builders Association
Apart from checking on licensing and insurance of your disaster repair contractor you should also find out what others think of them and whether there have been any problems. Ask friends and family for references, and check any references that the contractor may give you. You can also call the Better Business Bureau or Home Builder’s Association to find out what they have to say about the contractor.
Get a Couple of Free Quotes First
Don’t be in too much of a hurry and make sure that you get a few free quotes before deciding which contractor to choose. Compare what each contractor has offered in their quote and don’t just go on promises that have been spoken but ensure that anything important has been submitted in writing.
Finding a Genuine Home Restoration Contractor
You can find a number of genuine home repair contractors in your area using the HandyAmerican.com directory. You may also want to post a project on the HandyAmerican.com website and allow contractors to contact you.
Being desperate to get a home repaired after a disaster can put you in a vulnerable position to fall for con artists who are just out to take your money and do not have the necessary qualifications and licensing to do a decent job. It is therefore important to take your time, check on references and get a few free quotes to compare. Call some of the disaster repair contractors listed in the HandyAmerican.com directory or post a project on our website to find genuine contractors.
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