Tips for Hiring a Contractor

Have you ever had contractor knock on your door? Offering to inspect your roof or siding? Telling you that a recent storm caused damage? Maybe you received a mailing. Spring is here and with it comes rain, hail and wind. And contractors will follow. Before signing any documents do your homework. An Assignment of Benefits Agreement may seem simple enough but it authorizes contractors to act on your behalf taking away your rights to act.

 

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) posts the following suggestions before hiring a contractor:

• Get more than one estimate.

• Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations should be detailed.

• Demand references and check them out.

• Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license and write down the license number and their vehicle’s license plate number.

• Never sign a contract with blanks; unacceptable terms can be added later.

• Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is finished and ensure reconstruction is up to current code.

• Make sure you review and understand all documents sent to your insurance carrier.

• Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them.

• Never let a contractor interpret the insurance policy language.

• Never let a contractor discourage you from contacting your insurance company.

• Never pay in full until the contractor has delivered the materials to your property and finished the job.