“If there are ways to either block the water from getting to other parts of the house, that can be helpful,” Woodard says. “If you can’t control where the water is going, you can sometimes control what is in the water’s way. If you have chairs, boxes or other contents of the house in harm’s way, you can move those out of the way so they don’t incur damage.”
Angie’s List tips on hiring a contractor after a storm damages your home:
—Just say no: If a stranger comes to your storm-ravaged yard offering to repair your roof, remove trees or do other major repair work for cash up front, just say no. Chances are, he or she will take your money and disappear, leaving you with little or no recourse.
—Do your research: Check reviews to get some insight into local service companies. Check with the state licensing board to determine if licensing is required. Also check the status of the contractor’s bonding and liability insurance coverage. Hire a company with a permanent, local address. You have few options if the contractor is from out of state, the job goes awry or the contractor disappears.
—Understand your insurance: Learn what your insurance policy covers before a storm hits. Don’t sign an insurance check over to a contractor until the job is completed to your satisfaction. Take photos of the damage as soon as possible so you have some documentation of what occurred.
—Quality is worth the wait: When storms hit, contractors are in high demand and the best performers are generally the busiest. Beware the company with time on its hands to go knocking door to door.
