Beware of Contractor Fraud

June 22 , 2010 - When storms hit, your home — and life — can be turned upside down. You’re eager to get your home repaired, but be careful: some contractors aren’t really there to help. 

Most contractors are reputable business people, but the dishonest ones may try to convince you that you have hail or other damage and need a new roof, even if your roof did not experience any damage at all. Often they won’t even go on the roof to inspect the damage. They’ll explain that everyone in the area was affected by the storm when it is impossible to make that assumption.

That means that you may be filing an unnecessary claim and repairing a roof that isn’t damaged. These unscrupulous contractors travel from town to town after a storm occurs and try to take advantage of people who are recovering from a natural disaster.

What you can do

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers the following tips to those who are beginning the process of rebuilding disaster-damaged property:

• Get more than one estimate.
• Don’t be pushed into signing a contract right away.
• Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations should be detailed.
• Check references before deciding which contractor to choose.
• Never sign a contract with blanks.
• Don’t pay a contractor in full until the work is complete.
• Check with county or city licensing authorities to see if the contractor is licensed in your jurisdiction, as well as checking for complaints with their regional Better Business Bureau.

While these tips are for disaster recovery, they are also valuable for anyone who is hiring a contractor to do work on their home.

Work with your insurer

If you need suggestions about who to hire or how to rebuild your home, contact your insurer or claims adjuster. Erie Insurance has professional claims adjusters who are trained to assess your property, identify storm damage and prepare an estimate for proper repair. We can also provide recommendations for reliable and licensed contractors in your area. As always, it is your decision on who to use to repair your dwelling.

For more information on disaster safety and preparation, refer to the home safety articles on this site.

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