Contractor’s are not allowed to act as Public Adjusters in IL, unless they have a PA’s license.
None the less, it’s unfortunate that the insured has been “left a the alter” on something like this, but in general it’s never a good idea to pay the full amount of a repair job up front. Normally it 1/3 to start, 1/3 as a progress payment once materials are delivered and work is actually started and the final 1/3 once the job is done to the owner’s satifaction. The insured’s need to be aware of this and be cautious of any contractors that won’t start without a full up-front payment (read find another contractor).
Finally homeowners need to check out who they are hiring. Having someone knock on your door and soliciting “hail damage” is not a good reference. Warn them that just because there doing other jobs in a town or neighborhood is also not a good refernce. The insured’s need to look for someone with a stable local presence, and if possible certificates of insurance and references. On larger jobs they should ask for a bond.
“If it sounds to good to be true it usually is !” People get taken by scam artists due to their own greed. “save their deductible”, “no cost to you”, “cheaper than local roofers”.
Even in today, you still get what you pay for.
This problem relating to a contractor taking a homeowners money and running is very very rare and these are the stories that everyone remembers. These are stories created and spread to make all of us look bad. I have helped thousands of homeowners with their repairs and they all agree, it was the easiest, smoothest construction process they had dealt with. There are many many reputable contractors that are just going to where the business is, just like many other businesses. Do your research but dont assume the local companies have more expirience and are better at what they do.
i am not a contractor but a subcontractor and in my opinion you local folks are greedy and don’t want to share the work i’ve heard customers complain about locally owned companies as well.
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I’m glad to see this case. There are myriad roofing/siding contractors who
act as public adjusters and create/inflate numerous claims after storms.
Contractor’s are not allowed to act as Public Adjusters in IL, unless they have a PA’s license.
None the less, it’s unfortunate that the insured has been “left a the alter” on something like this, but in general it’s never a good idea to pay the full amount of a repair job up front. Normally it 1/3 to start, 1/3 as a progress payment once materials are delivered and work is actually started and the final 1/3 once the job is done to the owner’s satifaction. The insured’s need to be aware of this and be cautious of any contractors that won’t start without a full up-front payment (read find another contractor).
Finally homeowners need to check out who they are hiring. Having someone knock on your door and soliciting “hail damage” is not a good reference. Warn them that just because there doing other jobs in a town or neighborhood is also not a good refernce. The insured’s need to look for someone with a stable local presence, and if possible certificates of insurance and references. On larger jobs they should ask for a bond.
“If it sounds to good to be true it usually is !” People get taken by scam artists due to their own greed. “save their deductible”, “no cost to you”, “cheaper than local roofers”.
Even in today, you still get what you pay for.
This problem relating to a contractor taking a homeowners money and running is very very rare and these are the stories that everyone remembers. These are stories created and spread to make all of us look bad. I have helped thousands of homeowners with their repairs and they all agree, it was the easiest, smoothest construction process they had dealt with. There are many many reputable contractors that are just going to where the business is, just like many other businesses. Do your research but dont assume the local companies have more expirience and are better at what they do.
i am not a contractor but a subcontractor and in my opinion you local folks are greedy and don’t want to share the work i’ve heard customers complain about locally owned companies as well.