Going through a disaster is hard enough without having to worry about whether your disaster specialist is offering your a fair and competitive price for the work that you need done. Getting fair service on your home repair and restoration is important for you and for your insurance provider. If service is performed improperly or the company isn’t reputable, you risk not having your entire project covered by your insurance policy.
To ensure that your disaster specialist is giving your a fair price, you need to ask some questions and do some research. Here are some of the main things to watch out for:
What is the company you’re working with?
If the company that you’re considering for your disaster repair is local and you’ve worked with them before, you probably know you can trust them. But because disasters are often completely unpredictable and you likely haven’t previously experienced a situation where a disaster specialist is required, you may not know that to look for.
First, do some research on the company. Look up their rating with the Better Business Bureau. Find out where their central offices are located. Ask for information on their licensing and other applicable registration in your state or municipality.
Using an out of state contractor
Often, out of state contractors have to jump through many hoops in order to legally perform service in your state. When disaster strikes, there are typically “storm chasers” – contractors who go to areas with recent disasters and try to siphon repair work from local licensed disaster specialists.
If a contractor is less than straightforward with you, you can inquire about their head offices and ask pointed questions to learn about their intention. You may also want to check their license plates to see whether they’re from out of town.
Red flags to avoid
You absolutely want to avoid a specialist who recommends that you not file your claim with your insurance agency. No matter how good a deal they seem to be offering, you don’t want to risk your finances or the state of your home repairs to a shoddy “specialist”.
Likewise, any contractor who asks for a down payment or your payment in full at the beginning of the work should not be hired for your disaster repair.
