After storm, now focus on recovery
In the aftermath of the devastating flooding that occurred after getting so much rain in a 24-hour period, it is time for those whose property was damaged to start the restoration process.
Stephen McNiel, founder of Creative Property Restoration and president of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association, said it’s important to take care of emergency repairs immediately, as it may take a few months to get an insurance adjuster to your property.
“Don’t sign off on your insurance settlement until you are satisfied that you are getting the value of what your home is worth,” he said. “Your professional contractor can help you work through the insurance process to make sure that you understand the value of your repairs.”
Larry Abbott, owner of Abbott Contracting and Treasurer of the Remodelers Council, suggests you protect yourself from fraud and scams, which are very common.
“Be wary of people who are trying to take advantage of your wallet — door-to-door salespeople and contractors, especially those from out of town,” Abbott said.
Be sure to look up the company on the Better Business Bureau website, check that the company has a working phone number, and is insured. It is also advisable to get references from all contractors you are thinking of working with.
Tom Pellegrin, immediate past president of the Remodelers Council and owner of Third Coast Builders, said finding a contractor isn’t just about finding the person who will do the most work for the least amount of money. Here are a few additional things to look out for to help you avoid a scam:
A shockingly low bid: If a bid seems too good to be true, it probably is; quality of work is also important. In fact, “special” deals and pricing in general should be treated as suspect.
A push for a large sum of money up front: Once a contract is signed, money for materials will change hands, but an honest contractor should not be pushing you for large amounts of money before any work has taken place.
Although it may take time finding a contractor and getting your insurance adjuster on site, when you sustain water damage, “you need to quickly go into recovery mode,” said Kevin Vick, owner of Vick Construction and Remodeling and vice president of the Remodelers Council.
“Time is of the essence. If your home gets flooded after a storm you need to dry it out within 48 hours to prevent mold and mildew growth,” he said.
Try to stay safe and be patient as you focus on the obvious tasks of cleanup and recovery.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www. ghba.org.