The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan today is warning consumers to be very careful about who they hire for clean up if it is necessary after the winter storm.
“We want people to be careful about bad actors who may be going door to door or posting on social media neighborhood sites offering services at a low price, taking that money and then not doing those services.”
Katie Grevious is the marketing and community relations manager with the BBB.
She says if you need help, try to not act on emotions, but rather do your homework and not bow to pressure.
“Look over your home owner insurance policy, look at what damage is covered in the event it happens and what those payments and deductibles might look like. That can kind of help in the back of your mind what is covered and what may be coming out of pocket.”
If you need serious services like roof repair or siding damage, Grevious says those are jobs that require a license in the state of Michigan. She says to check or use their website to find licensed and insured contractors. Other tips include:
Getting multiple bids and seek referrals, asking at least three companies for bids. Get a written contract and take the time to read it. Grevious adds you also do not want to pay the full amount of the job up front. Adding to pay by credit card not cash if possible.
And if you find you’ve had a scam problem, Grevious says you can reach out to the BBB or go to bbb.org/scamtracker and file a report.
