The Repair Process

Estimating the damage to your home or business is only the start of the repair process.  The owner of the property is the one responsible for locating and hiring the repair contractor. 

The Yellow Pages has a listing of the local repair contractors under "FIRE AND WATER RESTORATION."  Get recommendations from friends and relatives, especially ones that have had work done at their homes.  Often the best reference is a contractor's competition.  If a contractor has nothing bad to say about the competition, that's fine.  If he has nothing nice to say about any other contractor, scratch him off the list.  If one name keeps coming up, don't use him.  Check out the contractor with the Better Business Bureau.  Get references and CALL THEM!

Insist on a written contract containing the terms and conditions you want.  Require the contractor to produce Certificates of Insurance.  Call the agent to make sure the Certificates are genuine and currently in force.

Check the progress of the work for yourself and don't be afraid to ask questions.  If you see something you don't like, call the contractor and have it corrected.  Remember, you are in control.

Do not pay for work up-front.  On smaller jobs, the contractor will complete repairs and then expect payment.  On larger jobs, he may require draws as the work progresses.  Never pay for more work than 90% of what has actually been completed.  Then you'll have leverage to correct any problems due to faulty work.  Your mortgage company may control payments to the contractor. 

Do not sign a Certificate of Satisfaction of other form of Release until the work has been completed to your satisfaction.  Draw up a punch list and have the contractor complete each item and sign off on it.  Also, make certain the contractor provides lien waivers for all sub-contractors and material suppliers.  Check the contractor's work and check the authenticity of the documents provided.

Do not depend on the adjuster, building inspector or mortgage company to do your homework for you.  You are the one that must live with the finished product.  It is your pocket book that is on the table, so you must protect yourself.