BEAUMONT, Texas — When natural disasters strike, it's easy to make quick decisions and go with the cheapest options available when looking for contractors and services.
An experts says just a few minutes of research can make all the difference to make sure you don't lose any money.
A week after Hurricane Laura, the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas is already warning people to be cautious of scammers looking to make some money.
"The things that we've heard from people who did lose money is number one is that high pressure. So, "if you want to be first on the list to get the work done, you need to sign today." So that high pressure sales tactic is very common,"
In a Facebook post, the City of Orange Mayor Larry Spears also felt the need to address scammers who were apparently already targeting some of his residents.
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"Now those citizens have gotten themselves into a situation that may take some time to get out of," Spears said.
While people may be in a rush to just get the job done, doing your research and knowing your rights is important.
Liz Frederich works with the Better Business Bureau. She says you do have the right to cancel a contract if you move quickly.
"In the state of Texas you have a three day time to cancel on any contract. So if you do feel pressured and you find out within a day or two that it's not a legitimate company, you have the right to cancel," Frederich said.
If someone comes up offering to help with the rebuilding process keep these things in mind.
Always request a list of referrals and give them a call. Try to get at least 3 or 4 quotes from contractors. Most importantly, don't pay anything up front.
If you find someone trying to scam people, you should file a complaint with the BBB.
Here are some guidelines the BBB says you should follow:
- Only do business with licensed or bonded contractors or builders. Consult the Better Business Bureau to ensure you are working with a trustworthy business.
- Most subcontractors do not require licensing in TX. Make sure you require a current certificate of insurance before they begin work.
- Jefferson County requires a windstorm WPI-8 certificate from roofing contractors, verify your contractor has a current certificate before work starts.
- Request a list of recent customer referrals and call them for their experience.
- Know that under Texas law, the door-to-door seller must advise you orally and in writing that you have a right to cancel the sale within three days. Resist high pressure sales tactics from any contractor.
- Try to get at least 3-4 quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not an individual.
- Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full or half payment upfront.
- Get a written contract that specifies the price, the work to be done, the amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor, and a time frame. Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there’s a problem.
- Check that the contractor’s vehicle has signs or markings on it with the business name, phone number and license plates for your state.