Natural disasters have grabbed the spotlight, with tornadoes leaving behind billions of dollars’ worth in damages and floods swallowing communities along the Mississippi. And that doesn’t even factor in hurricane season, which starts June 1. In the Northwest, we can count of flood problems starting in November.
People in devastated areas can do many things to make sure they aren’t victimized twice, say two experts. They are Phae Howard of the National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud, a nonprofit that helps homeowners avoid rip-offs, and Lanard Cullins, a disaster inspector for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Here are 10 tips:
Get four references. Contractors will come prepared with three references. Ask for four. And for the fourth one, request they provide someone who had to call them back to fix a problem with their work.
Take precautions if you live alone. Have a family member or friend at your house when you meet with potential contractors. You don’t want to advertise that you live alone, particularly women and senior citizens. Before the contractor arrives, secure your valuables, including paperwork that could facilitate identity theft.
Check with the Better Business Bureau. This is particularly important following large-scale natural disasters, when itinerant work crews often move into an area.
Verify contractors’ licenses. “Verify them through the secretary of state’s office in whatever state they’re licensed to do business,” says Cullins.
Check contractor coverage, such as surety bonds, performance bonds and workers’ compensation. Howard recommends turning to your insurance agent for help.
Ask your insurance agent. What happens if supplies or equipment are stolen from the job site? Will the contractor’s insurance cover such thefts? If so, make sure you not only obtain the contractor’s insurance information, but also check to make sure his insurance is fully in effect.
Need supplies? Howard and Cullins say the contractor ideally should buy these. But if you do the purchasing, don’t give the contractor your money. Instead, meet the contractor at the supply store, make the purchase and have it delivered to the site the day the materials are needed.
Deal with your own insurance company yourself. “If a contractor asks for your insurance information and says they’ll deal with the company for you, that’s a scam,” says Cullins.
Hire an inspector. If you don’t know a joist from a rafter, how will you know your contractor is telling you the truth about needed work or if he’s doing a good job?
You have two options: Your local government building codes department or an independent building inspector can help.
Proofread your contract. Have a start and end date and make sure you have a lawyer check it out. “Never sign a contract without all of the blanks filled in,” says Howard.
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