- 1). Contact your insurance company and request that one of their professional claims adjusters, who are trained to assess storm damage, come to your home and estimate if any repairs are needed. The claims adjusters may also be able to recommend licensed contractors in your area.
- 2). Procure a repair estimate from more than one contractor. Choose contractors that are local or known to your area instead of one that has come to your door soliciting business. If a contractor does not mention repairs or permit requirements that another contractor quoted, ask them about it so you can better estimate which repairs are legitimately needed.
- 3). Request contact information for at least three of their recent clients. Call the references and ask about the contractor's quality of work, timeliness, cleanliness and flexibility. If the contractor is hesitant or does not provide local references, be comfortable walking away from them and going to another company.
- 4). Request the contractor's business card and license number. A professional contractor will have these readily available. Check with your county or city authorities to make sure that the license is current and with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the contractor.
- 5). Request a written contract. The contract should include the cost of materials and the cost of labor billed separately, the name and model number of the parts or materials being used, the time schedule for materials delivery and repair, guarantee of the labor if something goes wrong later, payment schedule, permits needed and any other expectations or promises made by the contractor. The contract should not have any blanks since the contractor might write something into those blanks after it has been signed.
- 6). Delay signing a contract immediately. Do not feel pressured by the contractor because of the need to purchase materials or supposed scheduling conflicts. Give yourself at least 24 hours by telling the contractor that you need to review it privately and you will return it once you are ready.
- 7). Withhold full payment of the repairs until all of the work is complete and you have been shown the repairs by the contractor. Pay by check or credit card so that you have proof of payment. Do not do business with any contractor who only accepts cash. This is often the sign of a scam.
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