If a fire, wind, flood, or storm caused damage to your house, you may need to hire a carpenter or builder to make temporary and/or lasting fixes. Follow these tips before you hire a professional or company to fix or fix up something:
Be careful of workers who go door-to-door after a major disaster like a storm to take advantage of people. There is a lot of demand for their work, and homes are often desperate for fixes right away. This situation often brings in workers who aren’t trained and make mistakes that cost a lot of money.
Check the contractor’s references and qualifications to make sure he or she is licensed by the state, runs a respected business, and has valid insurance that won’t run out before the job is done.
Contractors often hire other people to do some fixes for them. Make sure your work contract says who your worker will hire as subcontractors so you can also check their records.
- Get written estimates and contracts.
- Get written bids from at least three reliable builders and quotes.
Read and understand the work contract, and make sure that 1) the start and end dates, 2) the scope of the fixes, 3) all the supplies, 4) the prices, and 5) the payment plan are all written down in the contract.
ORDER AND PROOF OF PAYMENT
You shouldn’t pay more than 20–30% upfront, and you should never pay in cash. Keep all of your credit cards and check records as proof that you paid.
Learn about the Florida building debt rules and how they can affect your property rights if your builder or workers are not paid according to their contracts. Here, you can find out more about Florida’s building rules and liens.
5 Things a Good Contractor Should Offer
A written price quote. This shows how much the materials and labor will cost and what kind of work will be done.
A general idea of how long it will take to finish the job. It should have their contractor’s license number, their general liability insurance policy number, and the amount of liability coverage they have.
How long they have been doing this kind of work and how many jobs they have done lately.
Not all workers will promise their work, so it’s important to ask. If you have a choice, choose one whose work will be guaranteed.
You won’t have to pay for the information above. When taking on a job and working with insurance claims to give a quote, a good worker knows that it’s part of the job.
You will need this information to show your insurance agent so they can accept the fixes to your house. Most of the time, it takes longer to file a claim for a big loss or claim than for a small one.3 If you have to leave your home for work, don’t forget to look into extra living costs.
How to Figure Out if a Contractor Is Real
You can find out if a person is a real worker by calling the local building department or a consumer protection agency. Contractors who have a license should be able to show proof that they are qualified.
During a disaster claim, some general handymen take advantage of your fears and worries. If a door-to-door salesperson comes to your house, ask for a written bid. Some people will walk around neighborhoods and offer to clean up and fix things. Tell them that you work for an insurance company. Even though many of these people are honest and trustworthy, insurance theft often involves fake companies or workers who aren’t being honest.
Anyone who is real will be ready to put in a professional bid for doing the work.
How to Find Good Contractors for Insurance Claims
If the damage in your claim was caused by a covered danger, the insurance company must pay. It works with a lot of workers and can recommend a good one that you can trust. Use the knowledge and help of the company. You pay for what you get. This is the best and most straightforward way to find a reliable provider.
You can always get a second opinion and try to work something out with your insurer. When the insurance company chooses the worker, it can protect you. The insurance company is in charge of these workers.
Insurance companies hire a lot of freelancers and give them a lot of work. You can save yourself a lot of stress, time, and trouble by letting the insurance company handle it.
KNOW WHAT TEMPORARY REPAIRS ARE REQUIRED AND AUTHORIZED
Your property can be damaged by natural disasters like storms, tornadoes, floods, and fires, as well as by careless drivers or bad workers. Often, you will need to make quick fixes to stop further damage, but your insurance may not cover permanent repairs. To make sure you make the best choice about fixing your property after an accident or storm, talk to your insurance company about the planned repairs first or call an insurance law attorney to talk about the damage and the repairs you plan to make.
