We have already seen some severe weather and it’s just April. Flash flooding warnings have been issued across the eastern United States on several occasions. Some areas continue to struggle to recover from Hurricane Helene’s wrath from last fall, and we are now moving into the spring storm season.
Bad weather is affecting countries around the world. We have had increasingly scary weather everywhere from record temperatures to historic rainfall levels. We’re aware of wildfire danger everywhere.
No area is safe from the ravages of bad weather.
The weather we’ve seen can cause homeowner nightmares ranging from damaged roofs to foundation leaks to breaks in pavement. Downed wood may be scattered across your property or trees may have fallen across some of your buildings.
Regardless of what damage resulted, there are people who are willing to help. But not all of those people are reputable and trustworthy.
Imagine that?!! There are people who want to scam you!
Some nice contractor guy is in the neighborhood and he can offer you a free roof inspection. You may have some roof damage or the nice contractor guy may not be so nice. Scammers have been known to rip shingles off to “show you the wind damage”. If you hire one of these “drop-by” workers, make sure to watch them carefully.
Your safest course of action is – DON’T HIRE THESE FOLKS! Make sure to hire a licensed contractor. Check on the Better Business Bureau’s website for contractor ratings and tips on avoiding roofing scams.
There is also the scammer who happens to have some leftover paving material. They, too, are in the neighborhood or are just driving by and see that your driveway needs repairing and they are going to make you the deal of a lifetime.
As energy gets more expensive, consumers are looking for ways to cut costs. Solar panels continue to be an alternative and, of course, there are scammers willing to sell you solar panels at a ridiculously low price or even install them free. They may tell you there is a government rebate.
There are some common factors with these scams:
- You’re told that you need to act NOW. The deal won’t last and you want to get the best deal. Don’t fall for that.
- The “contractor” may be using the name of a legitimate company. Check with the Better Business Bureau or your local Chamber of Commerce to get contact information or rating information for the company. Call them directly to check on any representatives in the area.
- Watch out for unsolicited offers. The nice contractor guy may not be legit.
Before you buy:
- Get a second opinion about “needed” repairs. Check with your insurance company for an inspection or contact a legitimate contractor for an estimate.
- Do your due diligence. Research any companies you hire for repairs.
- Take a deep breath. Don’t succumb to the pressure.
Stay safe.
