Don’t Get Ripped Off By Storm Chasers

With the weather heating up and hurricane season reaching its peak, roofers and other contractors will start showing up in communities up-and-down the Florida coast to offer their repair services. Managing the after effects of a natural disaster is a challenge in its own right, but how do you know who has legitimate experience and who may be trying to take advantage of you?  DUBO Roofing owner Otis Duncan says there are a few key things you can do to make sure you don’t get ripped off. 

A storm chaser is a transient contractor who travels to communities to solicit new business after an emergency or natural disaster.  Duncan says when you are evaluating a contractor for roof repair, you should consider the following questions:

• Do the repair vehicles have out-of-state tags? If so, it is likely contractor may only be in town for storm work and will not be around if your roof needs further repair.  It is important to understand who will service the warranty if problems arise later.
• Is the contractor licensed and insured by the State of Florida to perform the storm repair work? If not, you could be liable for additional expenses to fix poor repair work and for accidents that occur at your home.
• Is the contract easy to understand? A clearly written invoice will include the company’s complete name, address and phone number, a detailed breakdown of all products and services recommended along with the total cost for each item, length of warranty and payment terms. It is important to ask questions if you do not understand the contract. Some contractors may try to slip in cancellation or contingency fees that will make the final bill more than you are expecting to pay.
• “We understand you may feel anxious to restore your home and life after a disaster, but it’s important to proceed with a clear head so you make sound decisions,” Duncan says.”Don’t feel pressured into making an immediate decision without considering the long-term impact of your decisions. Before you make a decision about who will do your repair work, it is important to ask for written estimates, verify references and confirm your contractor is licensed to operate in Florida. A legitimate contractor will let you take all the time you need to evaluate their business.”

DUBO Roofing is a local, licensed roofer serving the Orange Park and Jacksonville area since 2001. The company has extensive experience in roofing damage due to storms and works with homeowners and insurance companies to repair damage. For more information or an estimate, call 904.396.1889 or submit an online request.