Tips For Protecting Yourself From Natural Disaster Repair Scams

| Sunday, September 30, 2018
By Margaret Ellis


Floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even devastating fires can happen to anybody. If you have been the victim of one of these events, you know that there are a lot of great individuals willing to go out of their way, and sometimes risk their lives, to help you. There are also plenty of unscrupulous individuals just waiting to take advantage of the crisis. The Better Business Bureau, and government agencies, warn victims to be very careful when hiring a service advertising natural disaster repair.

As soon as your family is accounted for and in a safe place, you should get in touch with your insurance provider. It's important to have all your documents in one safe place that you can get to in case of an emergency. Until you are able to discuss your claims with an adjuster, you have to keep track of every receipt you get at restaurants, hotels, motels, and emergency rooms.

Having to flee your home is an emotional experience it takes time to get over. Many homeowners are so anxious to get back into their properties that they make important renovation decisions without adequate thought. Most experts agree that making enough temporary repairs in order to make the house habitable is a better idea, if that is possible. Temporary fixes give homeowners breathing room and time to make big decisions when they are better prepared to do so.

Once you are ready to undertake major renovations, you should get at least three estimates instead of approving the first contractor who submits a bid. References a year old or more definitely need to be checked. You can contact the state licensing board to see if the contractors you are considering have all the necessary certifications and licenses the state requires. If your house was constructed prior to 1978, you must find a contractor legally certified to make lead based paint restorations.

You may be solicited by people who just show up at your door with promises of quick fixes for low ball prices. You must be very wary of these people especially if they don't have any permanent place of business. You need to be careful if you talk to someone you don't know, soliciting work, who tells your house is unsafe for habitation. If you think there might be structural damage, you should hire an architect or engineer to inspect the home.

Never let anyone do any work on your home without a written contract in place. The terms of the contract must include every item you and the contractor have agreed to. Oral agreements aren't worth the paper they are written on.

The written contract should include the time frame for the work to be completed, It should have a materials and labor cost breakdown, and all of the contractor's contact information. You should never sign a blank contract.

It is important to get a copy of your signed contract. Do not use a contractor who requires payment in full in advance, or wants you to pay in cash. A thirty percent down payment on the work is acceptable.




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