When severe weather hits your neighborhood, chances are your stress level is already high. Don’t add to your stress by being caught in a Storm Chaser repair scam. Not sure what a Storm Chaser is? Here are a few things to look for if you think you have been approached by a company that is using Storm Chasers tactics and why you should decline their offer.
What is a Storm Chaser?
Storm Chasers are companies that make a profit by following severe weather from one area to another, completing home repairs along the way. Sounds harmless, right? Even though this business model of quickly addressing storm damage may sound appealing to some, chances are you are not going to receive the quality repair your home requires. These transient type of companies will typically collect the homeowners’ insurance claim check as payment for their services, quickly address the damage, and then leave town. They can be near impossible to contact after the repair if you are unsatisfied.
Why Should I Avoid Storm Chasers?
When it comes to repairing your home after a severe storm, you want it done correctly with high-quality materials. Storm Chasers who are looking for a quick payday will usually try to get the homeowner to sign a contract soon after a sales pitch. They will use high pressure sales tactics during their sales pitch or offer “free” work to find a way around paying a deductible. By signing these kind of contracts, the homeowner may be putting themselves at risk by waiving their rights to important decision making aspects of the repair.
“Some Storm Chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be pro-active in selecting a contractor and not re-active to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor,” according to the Better Businesses Bureau.
As the homeowner, if you lose control of the insurance check, you may be putting yourself at risk for poor quality work, low-grade materials being used or even portions of the repair being left incomplete so the company can increase their overall profit.
Other characteristics of Storm Chasers include:
- Storm Chasers will typically go door-to-door to advertise their business or identify themselves as “insurance recovery experts” in neighborhoods that have recently experienced severe weather.
- Storm Chasers will usually have out-of-state license plates on their work vehicle.
- Their work vehicle has no company information displayed or what is on the vehicle looks temporary.
- They are unable to provide homeowners with supplier or previous work references.
- They are unable to provide the homeowner with their roofing license and a certificate of liability/workers compensation that contain the same ID information.
At Exterior Remodel and Design, we will take the time to listen to what you need and tailor our service to your exact repair requirements so you waste no time in getting the end result you want. Using a reliable, local contractor is essential because not everyone understands the ins and outs of the different types of materials that need to be used in certain areas and climatic conditions. Understanding the technicalities of each material is key to ensure a repair will last.
Contact ERD
Whether its by phone at (402) 861-0000, by email, or by contact form, contact Exterior Remodel & Design, Inc. and get a fast, free estimate from the most trusted roofers in Omaha. Our team has 25+ years of roofing experience. We are a complete roofing solution for both residential homes and businesses. As Omaha’s most trusted roofing contractors, you can count on us for craftsmanship unmatched by other roofing companies in the area. Contact our team today!