Protect yourself, your home after storm
As a result of recent storms and flood damage, we have been exploring storm protection for Gulf Coast homeowners. Knowing types of water damage, and exactly what your insurance covers, are the first steps in protecting yourself from storm damage. A homeowner’s policy may cover your leaking roof or burst pipe, but it won’t cover damage from flooding — for that, you need a separate flood insurance policy.
One aspect of poststorm recovery is the emergence of unscrupulous contractors attempting to take advantage of the situation, and unsuspecting homeowners. This issue is so important that after our recent string of summer storms, Greater Houston Builders Association CEO Toy Wood appeared on the radio to discuss it, and a host of other post-storm recovery tips, such as:
Find several contractors you like and interview them; and always ask for, and check, references.
After storms, contractors are very busy, which is the perfect time for someone to try to take advantage. Watch out for high-pressure tactics, contractors who don’t want to put anything in writing, or who ask for large sums of money up front.
Use the GHBA member directory to get started on your search for a trustworthy Houston-area building professional.
The GHBA has a host of post-storm recovery resources for Houstonians to help you navigate the recovery process, including disaster recovery websites and tips on document organization.
Tom Pellegrin, president of the Remodelers Council and owner of Third Coast Builders, has this to say about the best approach to hiring a contractor:
“Interview several contractors and decide which one will best meet your needs. Begin a relationship and work together to figure out ‘what’ and ‘how much’ — everyone will be much happier.”
His advice echoes that of the GHBA — finding a contractor isn’t just about finding the person who will do the most work for the least amount of money. Finding a contractor is about establishing trust, verifying references, and committing to a contract that protects all parties by clearly outlining what is expected. Here are a few additional things to look for to help you avoid a scam:
A shockingly low bid — if a bid seems too good to be true, it probably is; quality of work is also important. In fact, “special” deals and pricing in general should be treated as suspect.
A push for a large sum of money up front. Once a contract is signed, money for materials will change hands, but an honest contractor should not be pushing you for large amounts of money before any work has taken place.
Your gut reaction — if you don’t like the contractor, move on to the next one. Trust your instincts.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org.