Natural disasters can wreak havoc on your home and you are left to pick up the pieces after the disaster is over. This is usually a very vulnerable time for most homeowners and as they search for remodeling experts, some rogue contractors may take advantage of their desperate situation. Such contractors are known as ‘storm chasers’ and they are only out to feed on your vulnerability. To help you avoid such contractors, who only seem to appear after a natural disaster, Maryland Stone has prepared some few guidelines on what you should look out for.
- Demanding a Large Deposit
Every state has its own regulations about how much a contractor can ask for as an up-front deposit. In majority of the states, contractors are only required to demand 10-30% of the total fee as up-front payment. If your contractor is asking for more, then you might need to take a step back and analyze his intentions and credentials. Check your state’s regulation on the matter of contractor deposits before putting up a large deposit.
- Curiously Low Bids
Be wary of contractors whose bids are significantly lower than the other contractors are. Cheap rarely translates to a good job done in the world of remodeling. The contractor may be offering such a bid low because of using poor quality materials, paying his employees under the table, lack of insurance, or he is cutting corners in one way or another. Whatever he is into, you can be sure that you do not want to get involved.
- Lack of a Permanent Place of Business
It is recommended that before you allow a contractor to work on the damage caused by the natural disaster, ensure they have a physical office and not just a P.O. Box. In addition, find out whether the contractor has a working e-mail address, a registered phone number, and a mailing address. The reason this information is important is that it confirms that the contractor is licensed to work on damaged homes. Furthermore, you can contact them at any time regarding the remodeling.
