Once severe rainstorms hit your area, your home may end up sustaining significant damage. With that kind of damage, you’ll need the help of a contractor. This is when storm chasers often come into the picture.
What are Storm Chasers?
These fly-by-night contractors travel from town to town, offering help to homeowners who need storm damage repairs. They will offer to complete repairs quickly and at a low cost.
Once you check reviews of gutter covers in Berea, Ohio, you will find that storm chasers often conduct business practices that are not ethical. They may use substandard materials, or disappear entirely before the work is done, leaving you with an unfinished project and more expenses when you have to hire a second company to finish the job.
How Can You Avoid Them?
While it is understandable to want to get your home back to normal as quickly as possible, never hire unsolicited contractors without first doing your research. Take your time, and begin by requesting proof of licensing to work in your state. Ask for verification of workers compensation and liability insurance, and check to be sure the contractor has a local business address.
Never sign anything prior to doing these background checks. Verbal agreements are no good either; any promises or guarantees made should be reflected on a written contract. Never agree to pay cash up front; rather pay with check. Sometimes you will need to pay half up front, and the other half at the job’s completion. Make sure to make these payments with check, so you have proof of payment.
Now, there are many contractors out there with your best interests in mind. Ask for referrals to be sure, and also check with the Better Business Bureau.
What Can You Do To Further Protect Your Home?
You may also want to consider upgrades at this time, such as a gutter guard. At Gutter Helmet® of Northern Ohio, we install durable, custom-fitted gutter protection systems that eliminate clogs and keep rainwater away from your home. With Gutter Helmet, you can be sure you’ll have a product that will protect your home’s structural integrity for decades to come. Contact Gutter Helmet of Northern Ohio® today at (800) 824-3772 to learn more.
