BBB Alerts Community on Who to Turn to When Dealing with Storm Damage

BBB Alerts Community on Who to Turn to When Dealing with Storm Damage

The Better Business Bureau (BBB, BBB.org) responded to the severe storms in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa in July by educating the community on who to turn to—and who not to turn to—when dealing with storm damage. The Omaha Public Power District called the storms the worst for outages in recent history, with more than 170,000 customers reportedly experiencing no electricity.

The BBB recommends checking your state agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors. Get references from friends and relatives. Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Ask for identification and check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plates for your state or province. Also, ask for proof of liability, workers compensation, and licensing. Verify the contractor has the correct license to do work in your state. This protects you in case something happens while working on your property.

Also, the Better Business Bureau says to not make any permanent changes to your property until you get approval from your insurance provider. They may not fully reimburse you for repairs made without their permission. Take photos of the storm damage to show your insurance company. Finally, make sure you get everything in writing. Demand a written contract from anyone you hire. Clearly written, detailed proposals that are broken down into separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is being thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org.