San Marcos Record, San Marcos, TX

Local News

January 26, 2012

Watch for scams associated with severe weather

— Severe weather hit Central Texas this week bringing with it several inches of rain, high winds, hail and even reports of a possible tornado.

As the weather passes, many consumers will start to evaluate the damage done and begin the clean up process.

The Better Business Bureau receives hundreds of complaints every year concerning subpar work performed by contractors, and encourages consumers to take the time to properly research contractors to avoid creating a bigger problem.

From damaged roofs, to fallen tree limbs, to flooded homes, the BBB offers these tips for consumers who may be facing repairs due to severe weather:

• Contact your insurance company immediately. Call your insurance company before work begins to make sure all necessary procedures are followed according to your policy. Make sure you fully understand your deductibles and what your policy covers before having any work done.

If you do not follow your insurance company’s guidelines, you may be stuck with the entire bill.

• Find a trustworthy contractor. Deal only with licensed and insured contractors. You can verify licensing information through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Find a BBB Accredited contractor through BBB Member Pages.

• Get multiple bids. Get bids from at least three companies and ask for referrals. Utilize BBB Request a Quote to get multiple estimates from BBB Accredited Businesses.

• Take your time signing a contract. Get a written estimate that includes any oral promises the contractor made. Remember to ask if there's a charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into your home. Ask for explanations for price variations. Get a copy of the final, signed contract before the job begins.

• Avoid paying a large sum upfront. Resist dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire job upfront. A deposit of one-third of the total price is standard procedure. Pay only by check or credit card – and pay the final amount only after the work is completed to your satisfaction. Avoid paying in cash.

• Beware of door-to-door solicitations. Sudden, severe storms can bring fly-by-night contractors to the area. Often these contractors solicit work door-to-door, have no license or contact information and require high upfront fees before beginning. BBB recommends researching the company before agreeing to have any work done.

• Plan ahead and be prepared. Spring is generally the time we see more severe weather. If your trees need trimming or that hole in your roof needs repairing, don’t wait for another big storm to blow through, get it done now to avoid problems later.

To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org.http://bbb.org.

Text Only
Local News
House Ads
Video
Business Marquee
AP Video
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook
Seasonal Content