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Consumer Advisories

How to Protect Yourself Against Contractor Fraud

9/19/2011

Tags: emergencies | storms | tips

When a natural disaster, like a tornado or flood, causes damage to your home naturally you want to get it repaired quickly. But, if not careful, you could fall victim to an unscrupulous contractor looking to profit from your loss.

Of course, most businesses offering help are legitimate. How can you protect yourself from those that are not?
How to protect yourself from an unscrupulous contractor?
Five Tips
The Insurance Information Institute says:

  1. Investigate the track record of the company. Look for professionals with a solid reputation in your community. Use a local, licensed, bonded and insured contractor or service provider. Call your Better Business Bureau for help. Also, get references and never give a deposit until you have completed a background check.
  2. Get a qualified referral. Ask your insurance agent or company representative for a list of reputable companies.
  3. Do not be rushed into signing a contract with any company. Get more than one written estimate. Get everything in writing including cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations that should be detailed.
  4. Never sign a contract with blanks. Unacceptable terms might be added later.
  5. Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate. Always wait until the work is finished and you are sure the work is up to current code.

For more information see the Insurance Information Institute.

Check IDs

  1. Advanced Restoration Services understands you want qualified people working to restore your damaged home. Here’s how to tell if you’re dealing with an ARS employee:All of our employees have an official ARS ID badge.
  2. All of our employees wear a shirt monogrammed with the ARS logo.
  3. All of our employees drive a vehicle with the ARS logo (unless the vehicle is newly purchased and hasn’t yet been vinyled).
  4. All of our technicians carry their certification card.


Occasionally, we partner with other contractors to help us. But, some companies have unscrupulously identified themselves with Advanced Restoration Services when, in fact, we have no working agreement with them.

If someone knocks on your door representing themselves or associating themselves with ARS, please call our office at 712-523-2057 for verification.