Indianapolis (PRWEB) March 02, 2012
In the wake of recent severe thunderstorms, wind and hail damage, homeowners could now be faced with another disaster: unscrupulous storm-chasing contractors.
Storm chasers often go from house to house looking for people who need help cleaning up storm damage, offering promises of quick repairs for cash up-front.
If a person you dont know comes to your door promising to help if youll just pay in cash, just say no, says Angie Hicks, founder of Angies List, which provides consumer reviews on local contractors and service companies. Severe storms can be traumatic, and people trying to put their lives back together shouldnt have to worry about trouble from shady contractors. With just a little research, you can find a reliable person who will get you back on the feet and keep you there.
Roofs often take the brunt of the damage from storms, especially hail. Hail damage costs U.S. homeowners more than $ 1 billion in property damage each year. Only the destruction wrought by wind storms and tornadoes causes more damage, according to the National Weather Service. Be sure to know what your insurance policy covers in the event of hail damage. If you have damage, contact your agent as soon as possible.
Some storm-chasing roofing companies tell homeowners that they need their roof replaced, when it often just needs a few repairs. This is why hiring a company with a good reputation is so important, because few homeowners want to or can climb up on their roof and figure out whats really needed.
If your home suffers damage, get estimates from at least three licensed, local contractors with a good reputation, Hicks said. Understand that the best service companies are going to be the busiest, so patience is key. You might have to wait a little longer to get the work done, but you want to have it correctly the first time. You dont want to get stuck paying for the same job to be done twice because you hired the first person to come knocking on your door offering help.
Angies List: Tips to avoid shady storm chasers: