It wasn't too long after the storm clouds had cleared in Grove City after the April 3 tornado that the signs started going up.
"The contractors started putting up signs the first day -- 'Call us. We'll fix your house,'" said Don Walters, Grove City's community relations officer.
"You'll see it whenever there's a storm or some other natural disaster that causes a lot of property damage," said Judy Dollison, vice president of marketing and communications with the Better Business Bureau's Columbus office.
"An area that's been hit hard always draws a lot of contractors," she said. "We like to refer to them as storm chasers."
While some contractors are based in the area, others roam, heading to an area where a storm or tornado has been reported, Dollison said.
"Some of them are legitimate," she said of the contractors. "Unfortunately, some of them are scam artists and people need to be careful and do their due diligence to help make sure they aren't being cheated."
The first step should be to check with the Better Business Bureau and ask family members and neighbors about a company, Dollison said.
"You can go on our website, bbb.org, and check a contractor's track record," she said. "You can find out if they are an accredited business, check whether there's a history of complaints about the contractor and read verified customer reviews.
"You can also ask around and see who people in your community recommend," Dollison said.
Homeowners should be wary of a contractor who is pressuring them to agree to a quick repair job, she said.
"If someone is telling you that they are going to be leaving town soon and you need to make a decision 'today,' that's a pretty good sign that they aren't reputable," Dollison said.
Another red flag is if the contractor is demanding the customer pay the entire bill up front and in cash.
"A reputable business understands that a customer should be able to pay for repairs over time, as they are completed," Dollison said. "It's a good idea to pay with your credit card. And you should make sure you get a receipt.
"Shop around and get quotes from at least three companies before choosing a contractor," she said.
"You want to make sure the quotes are comparing apples to apples," Dollison said. "If one quote is markedly lower than the others, they may be cutting corners or not doing the repairs you need done."
Customers should get estimates in writing and never allow work to begin without a written and signed contract or without verifying the contractor's license and insurance.
"Getting it in writing helps make sure you understand all of the details of the agreement and when and how the work is going to be done before things get started," Dollison said. "You don't want to have the work well underway and realize something isn't being done the way you thought it would be."
A dishonest contractor may also actually cause damage to a residence and charge the property owner to repair it, she said.
"We see that a lot with storm chasers," Dollison said. "You should never allow a contractor to go through areas of your house, like the attic or the roof, alone."
The BBB has a scam tracker tool on its website, Dollison said.
"It's a great resource because you can look to find any common scam that's occurring in your area or your neighborhood," Dollison said. "It's also a way for people to report a scam that's happened to them or that they've heard about."
The city of Grove City has posted on its website, grovecityohio.gov, a listing of registered contractors, Walters said.
A registered contractor must have current insurance and bond coverage to perform work in Grove City, he said. Contractors must also have a state license if it's required for the type of work they do.
"The registered contractor list is no guarantee that a contractor is legitimate," Walters said. "It's a reference tool and a starting point. You should still check into any contractor you're thinking of using."
The BBB has not received any reports yet of scams involving contractors in Grove City, Dollison said.
"It often takes a week or two before people begin to realize they've been taken advantage of," she said.
A storm such as the April 3 tornado often brings out the best in people, Dollison said.
"You'll hear so many stories of people reaching out to help their neighbors," she said. "Unfortunately, a natural disaster can bring out the worst in some people. You have to be careful."
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