Minnesota's Home Remodeling Expert

After a storm, affected neighborhoods are usually overwhelmed with sales people hired by contractors who go door to door and try to get homeowners to sign a contract for any necessary repairs.  Many people sign up on the spot, without first checking out the company and without realizing they’re committing to have the work done by that company.  Many of these contractors are not really local companies.  They often rent an office space temporarily and hire doorknockers from the area.

A more reliable way to find a quality local contractor would be to check out contractors that neighbors or friends have been satisfied with.  These contractors have probably worked in your area for years, not just during the last few storm seasons.  Checking with the Better Business Bureau and a referral service, like Angie’s List, would also be helpful in your search.

Have your home inspected by a contractor that has worked in your area for many years, has a high rating with the BBB, and is willing to give you names and addresses of satisfied customers nearby.

Hiring a Contractor to Repair Storm Damage in MN

After a hailstorm, many storm chasing contractors descend on the affected area like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Hiring the first person to knock on the door or even the 12th one may end up being a mistake. The person knocking on your door, offering a free inspection is highly motivated to get you to sign something on the spot. It is almost always a binding contract to have them do the work if your insurance company ends up covering it. It would probably be to your benefit to do some simple research of your prospective contractor:

• Ask to see names and phone numbers of people they’ve done work for in the neighborhood going back 4 or 5 or even 10 years. Wouldn’t you rather hire someone who has built a solid reputation over time in your community?
• Check them out on the Better Business Bureau website  and/or angieslist.com.
• Ask friends, neighbors and coworkers who they have been happy with.

A RED FLAG

If a contractor says you won’t have to pay your insurance deductible, that should raise a red flag for you. If your insurance company audits your claim later on and they uncover something illegal, both you and the contractor will be held accountable.