GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As West Michigan prepares for a blizzard-like winter storm headed our way, scammers are preparing, too.
Unlicensed workers tend to target homes after severe storms, offering deals that are too good to be true, the Better Business Bureau in Western Michigan warns.
"Scammers and bad businesses prey on vulnerable situations by posing as community members on social media, and pressuring homeowners to make decisions before any research can be done,” says Lisa Frohnapfel, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Western Michigan. “BBB verifies licenses of all Accredited Businesses each year, so you know they are approved by the state to do the work.”
You should always look out for high-pressure sales tactics and marketing for inexpensive snow removal and damage repair on social media.
Contractors from out-of-state may try to take advantage of members of neighborhood pages, posing as local community members, the BBB says.
Often times, the homeowner pays for work that isn't done.
There are contractors for storm repair that you can trust, but you should always do your research first.
The BBB offers the following tips before hiring someone to help:
- Do your homework. Visit BBB.org to research the company before you make a decision. Make sure any company you hire has working contact information; such as a local address and phone number.
- Hire only licensed and insured contractors. Verify the contractor has a valid license to do the work. While snow removal companies do not require state licensing, roofers and other repair companies likely do need to be licensed. You can check on builders licensing with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Remember, BBB checks every year to make sure all BBB Accredited Businesses have the necessary licenses.
- Check your homeowners insurance. Verify with your home insurance company what kind of repairs are covered under your policy to better help guide you when choosing a home repair service.
- Get multiple bids and seek referrals. Ask at least three companies for bids. The lowest-priced bid may not be the best. A contractor should be able to give you reference names and phone numbers of at least three clients with projects like yours.
- Get a written contract and read it. Make sure any verbal promises are included, as well as; the agreed upon price, specific work to be done and the start date and expected completion date. Obtain a signed copy of the final contract before work is started.
- Never pay the full amount up front. Be wary of any contractor who demands full payment upfront. Contractors may require a down payment to cover materials, but full payment should not be due until the work is complete and you are satisfied. Pay by credit card, if possible, never with cash. When paying by check, make payments to the company, not an individual.
- Expect that a contractor may not be able to provide immediate service, especially during an unexpected major snowfall. Many contractors are receiving a lot of calls and can't set up appointments for several days.
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