When mother nature calms down, a new storm can move in: contractors going door-to-door, many asking for cash, and promising a quick fix to your home.
"They're taking shortcuts, 'taking the money and run', there's no recourse," said Richard Conroy, who owns Canyon Lake Construction. His company is licensed, bonded and insured--unlike others who swarmed the Estrella Mountain area after last week's damaging storm.
"The amount of money that they're pulling from these homeowners upfront is just ridiculous," he said.
Before you hire someone, what should you do? According to Conroy and insurance experts:
-- Never pay for a job upfront (especially with cash)
-- Ask for a business card and look up your contractor's status and any complaints on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website and the Better Business Bureau
-- Trust your gut. Does the contractor seem legitimate? Are they pressuring you? Are they driving a work vehicle with a company name and license number?
Even though dealing with storm damage can be stressful, Conroy said you shouldn't panic or make a rushed decision.
"Before you do anything, wait for your [insurance] adjuster to give you the paperwork," he said. "[Everyone] should be on the same page when they're redoing your roof."
