Tips for Hiring a Contractor after a Hailstorm

After a hailstorm, your roof may need to be repaired.  You may also have siding in need of replacement.  Whatever the damage may be from HVAC work to home repairs, hiring the right contractor is key.  Many of us don’t know how to go about finding someone good.  After a storm, contractors may turn up at your door offering to make repairs.  Below are tips for hiring a contractor after a hailstorm to help you avoid getting scammed.

Tips for Choosing a Contractor

If your home or business has hail damage and needs repair, the following tips can help you choose the best contractors for the job:

• Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of contractors and builders
• Request references
• Choose local contractors, and do thorough research before you hire companies from outside the area. A simple internet search can save a lot of heartache down the road.
• Ask to see the contractor’s license and bond information
• For extra protection, look them up on the Better Business Bureau’s website
• Hire someone professional that you trust to explain the repairs to your insurance adjuster

Compare the contractor’s estimate to the information that you get from the insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster’s repair estimate should be the minimum of what needs to be done.  If your contractor isn’t at least taking care of the damage the adjuster saw, then they probably aren’t the contractor that you want to hire.

Contractors that Solicit Door to Door

After a big storm, contractors may come to your door.  Some may even offer free repairs to get your business and your neighbor’s business.  Before you consider working with someone who solicits door to door, consider this:

• By Texas law, solicitors must inform you that you can cancel an agreement within three days
• Collect the license plate number of the solicitor
• Don’t pay in advance for work
• Don’t be pressured into signing a contract
• Make sure you have the warranty in writing

Texas price gouging law protects you from inflated prices for work during a disaster, but retailers are not prohibited from raising their prices for materials.

Questions about Making a Hail Damage Claim

Hiring a contractor and getting your insurance to pay the claim can be difficult.  If you have questions about making a hail damage claim, contact an attorney for help.  Mynor E. Rodriguez has experience handling Texas hail damage claims.  He is here to listen and help.