This is still bothering me scummy contractors give good contractors such a bad name.
Some advice for everyone not just the op.
Choosing a restoration contractor in a storm situation. If you think your home was damaged in a hail storm, tornado, and hurricane whatever.
Do not sign anything do not file a claim yet do not allow anyone on your property to do a free inspection. UNTILL you have done your due diligence.
If it’s just your roof, siding and gutters damage in most states the contractor will not be required to have a General contractors license in some states like Ohio and North Carolina they are not required to have anything other than a business license.
In most states they are required to have some type of license. Example in Pennsylvania they would be required to have a HIC Number this is easy look up here. Arizona it’s called ROC . South Carolina it’s a Home Improvement specialty license
Every state is different the fastest way is to call your local building department google your state city building department. Ask what license requirements are required in your area is a permit necessary? What codes should I be aware of?
Example: on your roof in some area’s it’s code to Ice & Water Shield at the Eaves/rakes, to have Drip edge installed at the eves/rakes. Your local building inspector will be able to give you that information, license requirements in your area and most important how to look the license up (like the examples above)
Ok now that you’re armed with the requirements in your area you can start looking for a Contractor. Tip you should find your contractor not the other way around. Once you have some contractors on your list due your due diligence on them. If your state requires some type of license like the examples above. Look the company up check the states of their license and the date of issue if it’s brand new red flag!
Ask for references of customers that they repaired BEFORE the storm date. This is important if they cannot produce a reference before the storm came to town they were not in business. Don’t just call the reference drive by the property and see if the roof was actually replaced.
Ask for a copy of certificate of insurance for workman's compensation insurance and liability insurance. Call the insurance company and verify that the policies are active and real. Bad contractors have been known to pay for one month to get the cert and never send another payment. Or photoshop an old certificate of insurance to look valid.
Check the license plates on the vehicle they arrive in are they local plates?
Check BBB, Angie’s list, Google reviews, Yalp, google the company name with words like scam at the end or fraud.
Ask who supplies material (what supply house they work with) call they supply house and make sure they are in good standing! If the contractor purchases the material on credit and fails to pay for it your liable they can put a lean on your property.
Ask your friends, family, neighbors for recommendations chances are in a storm situation you are not alone.
Drive by the address listed on their business card pop in and say hi! If the address is a PO Box. Or an apartment red flag!
So you have chosen a contractor at this time allow the to do an inspection. Do not hover over them but hang back and watch. Ask them to take pictures of the damage on your roof to show you.
Once the contractor has completed his inspection if he finds enough damage to justify filing a claim at this time proceed with filing the claim.
Once you file an Adjuster will call you in 24-72 hours with a time and date to perform his inspection. At this point go ahead and contact your contractor and let him know when the adjuster will be out. It’s important to have your contractor present at the time of inspection so he can show the adjuster his justification for the claim.
If the adjuster finds justifiable damage he will proceed to put together a loss statement. This is where having your contractor present is important. The adjuster may even be a cat adjuster from out of town he may or may not know the codes in your area. If he misses something it can be supplemented on the back end but in most cases its better to deal with it upfront.
At this point the adjuster will either give you a loss statement and a check on the spot or mail it to you.
Once you receive your loss statement/1st check your claim will work something like this.
The insurance company will give you a First check for a percentage of your loss. Once all work has been completed your contractor will send in a certificate of completion along with a final invoice including any supplements. Things the adjuster may have forgot, code upgrades, permit fees.
Now it’s time to sign an agreement/contract with the contractor. Do not give him any money up front offer to give then the first insurance check and you’re deducible on the day of the build or when material is delivered or even on completion of the repairs.
Once the work has been completed then sign the certificate of completion, when the second or at times third checks come in call your contractor to collect his final payment.