Some miseries are inescapable. For example, if the heavens decided to damage your home with violent wind or pounding hail, then there was nothing you could have done to prevent them from doing so.
Fortunately, many miseries can be avoided entirely. Hiring a bad storm damage repair contractor is one of them. If you take your chances by hiring a contractor at random, then you’ll only have yourself to blame when they prove unfit for the all-important job of mending your house. But if you put a little effort into your selection, then you can rest assured your storm damage contractor will meet your expectations to a T.
How do you find the right contractor for storm damage repair? If you live in the greater Twin Cities area, then we dare say you already have: none other than Angell’s Construction. With that said, here’s what you can do to make sure you choose a pro instead of a bum.
Ignore High-Pressure Sales Tactics
If a large number of homes in your area were damaged during a recent storm, then a self-proclaimed storm damage repair specialist may materialize at your doorstep. It’s unfair to automatically denounce that hypothetical salesman as a crook. Even so, you must proceed with extreme caution.
“Storm chasers” are often disreputable, and substitute high-pressure sales tactics for genuine commitment to performing quality work. If a contractor attempts to appeal to your emotions or create a false sense of urgency, politely decline any offer they make.
Don’t forget: If an out-of-state contractor’s work turns out to be shoddy, then you’ll have zero chance of persuading them to come and correct it. Odds are you won’t even be able to reach them at all.
Avoid Certain Contractors Altogether
High-pressure sales tactics aren’t the only warning sign to stay on the lookout for. Avoid hiring a contractor that:
- Asks you to sign anything before you have chosen to hire it
- Appears willing to do the job for an unusually (i.e. suspiciously) low price
- Offers to pay your insurance deductible
- Only provides a post office box as its business address
- Requires full payment (or a large down payment) before commencing work
- Fails to provide an estimate or contract
- Doesn’t readily provide references
- Doesn’t willingly provide license number and proofs of insurance
- Shows up at your door unsolicited
Don’t Sign Anything Until You’re Ready
This plays into ignoring high-pressure sales tactics. If a contractor seems a little too eager to get you to sign a contract, then the alarm bell inside your head should ring loud enough for others to hear.
Don’t sign a contract until you are (A) ready to move forward, and (B) totally certain of the contractor that drafted it. Make certain you understand each and every term in the contract. If there’s any uncertainty, ask an attorney to review the contract before signing it. Never sign a contract with blank spaces that still need to be filled.
Never forget: A contract is most likely legally binding the instant you sign it. Don’t sign a contract unless it includes all of the information that it should, including:
- Detailed summary of work to be done
- Full description of materials to be used
- Total price for work, or detailed rundown of how price will be determined
- Clearly defined payment schedule
- Timeline for work to be done, including what will happen if the contractor fails to meet deadlines
- Provision requiring signed change orders whenever contractor deviates from predetermined scope of work
Seek a Contractor That Is Recommended in Your Area
Nothing beats word of mouth. If a neighbor, friend, coworker, family member, or anyone else you trust and respect has a contractor to recommend, then that is your best starting off point. Don’t hesitate to solicit recommendations from your acquaintances.
If you’re unable to get any recommendations (or hire a contractor that was recommended to you), bring your search to the internet. You want a contractor that is positively reviewed by others who live in your area. Do keep in mind that ratings are heavily skewed by undeserved one-star reviews (many of which were left by people who didn’t even hire the contractor in question).
The Better Business Bureau doesn’t consider customer reviews when it assigns ratings to businesses. It does take several significant factors into account, however, including complaints filed against the business by the public. Choosing a contractor that received an A+ (such as Angell’s Construction) is no guarantee of smooth sailing, but it is reassuring all the same.
Make Sure a Contractor Is Compliant
First and foremost, never hire a contractor that isn’t licensed by the state you live in. Checking the status of a potential contractor’s license in Minnesota is easy: Just go to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website, where you can download a spreadsheet of all licensed businesses and individuals. Here is a download link for residential contractors only.
Licensure isn’t enough. You also want to discern whether a potential contractor is bonded and insured. A reputable candidate should eagerly provide evidence of these coverages. You should also review the contractor’s litigation history on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. If a contractor appears to be regularly mired in legal battles, then you would be justified in avoiding it.
If you need storm damage repair in the Twin Cities, don’t bother Googling “storm repair near me.” Contact Angell’s Construction Services today to request an estimate. Let us demonstrate how a reputable, local contractor does things!