Choosing the Right Contractor After a Disaster

There’s little that can be done in the face of a natural disaster, be it a tornado, earthquake, hurricane or tidal wave. Though scientists and researchers are learning more about these ferocious natural phonomena every day, even advance warning and days of battening down the hatches aren’t always enough to fully protect people and their belongings from a serious storm.

In the aftermath of last summer’s hurricanes in Florida and the southeastern United States, an outpouring of aid reached the ravaged areas. Affected green industry companies, including nurseries and growers, noted the generosity of their industry colleagues who sent everything from money to new shade cloth for nurseries, to manpower and equipment for the clean-up effort.

Now, the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia brings the needs of nearly a dozen nations a their countless citizens to the forefront. In addition to providing opportunities for individuals and companies throughout the industry and the country to help in the relief efforts, this new disaster also gives business owners a chance to communicate with their customers on how to choose the right contractor if they are faced with a natural disaster and its outcome.

Chris Floyd, emergency services director for the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross outlined several general guidelines and cautionary notes for consumers to remember when looking for professionals to handle repairs and cleanup. In building and solidifying their relationships with customers, contractors can share these tips as well and explain how their companies can meet customers’ needs in disaster situations.

FINDING A REPUTABLE CONTRACTOR. Floyd’s guidelines recommend that consumers be wary of potential con artists when looking for contractors, including contractors who may solicit door-to-door in a damaged area. These contractors, he says, often target elderly or inexperienced homeowners or may require the customer to obtain building permits themselves, making them – rather than the contractor – responsible for the work.

To show their credibility, contractors should be prepared to share their professional and occupational licenses, as well as any other credentials or references that show their professionalism. Floyd advises homeowners to contact the Better Business Bureau, as well as building supply retailers to further check contractors’ experience.

“An established contractor with a reputation for using quality materials and paying his bills with suppliers is more likely to do quality work for you,” he explains. “Checking with the Department of Business and Professional Regulations can determine if complaints have been filed against the contractor and can give information on the individual’s state licenses.”

NARROWING THE FIELD. After choosing several contractors, Floyd says customers should obtain written estimates from each. Most contractors should be used to this process and can take the proposal phase, like any sale, as an opportunity to set their company apart from the competition and explain to the customer how they can best solve the problems on the property.

Floyd advises homeowners to explain exactly the work they want done, specifying items such as the quality and type of materials. In addition to identifying the client’s needs in this manner, Floyd says consumers also should look for the following details outlining how long the job will take, as well as the total cost. “Homeowners should be suspicious of a contractor who offers the fastest, cheapest job on a ‘you must act now’ basis,” he adds. “Poor workmanship, inferior materials and unfinished jobs are often the result.
Get the agreement in writing.”

SIGNING ON & BOWING OUT. Before Signing the Contract, Floyd provides a checklist for consumers to go through to ensure they understand the agreement, the contractor’s responsibilities and their own. Check the sidebar at right for the checklist and consider providing it to your customers when it comes time to sign any kind of contract in the future. Answering questions early on can lead to fewer problems or misunderstandings down the road.

Still, regardless of how many questions contractors and their potential customers discuss, instances where the customer wants to cancel a deal may arise. “Some home improvement or repair contracts may be cancelled without penalty or obligation by midnight of the third business day after signing,” he explains. These contracts include:

Agreements signed anywhere other than the seller’s normal place of business, unless you have requested the specific goods or services.
Agreements resulting from door-to-door sales solicitation.
Agreements that will be paid on an installment basis for more than 90 days.
It is important to note that emergency home repairs made at the owner’s request are not subject to cancellation under the three-day rule.

To protect yourself from contract disputes, Floyd says consulting an attorney is a homeowner’s and a contractor’s best bet.