Hit by a Tornado? Tips for Hiring a Reputable Oklahoma Home Remodeling Contractor After a Natural Disaster

There are many homeowners who need to hire an Oklahoma home improvement contractor to repair damages caused by the tornados. So many, in fact, that it might be hard to find a remodeling contractor that is available in your area. Because of this, there are many scam artists and less-than-credible contractors ready to prey on those who have already been through enough.

These tips will help you find a reputable home remodeling contractor in Oklahoma :

• Be cautious of dealing with any contractor who solicits you over the phone or by coming to your door. If somebody does try to push a “special rate”… ask for contact information and never sign a contract or make a payment without doing your research first!
• Ask for local references. There may be contractors who are not from the area, looking for work in an area where their services are needed after the tornados caused so much damage. So there may be some legitimate contractors that can provide references from nearby communities.
• Home improvement contractors may be visiting from out of state, but without a license in Oklahoma they may not be able to legally do the work you need.
• Whenever possible, try to find a local contractor. Ask friends or family for recommendations. Even if they are very busy, it is worth the extra wait to work with a professional that has a credible reputation in your community.

These tips will help prevent you from paying too much for repairing damages caused by the Oklahoma tornadoes:

• Shop around! You will want to get the best deal possible, so request bids from at least 3 different contractors.
• Don’t always go by the cheapest estimate! Consider reputation, insurance, and everything else that matters. In the long run, you want a job done well… not a job done cheaply. When you request multiple bids, the estimates should be in the same ballpark area. If one contractor offers a significantly lower quote it can be tempting… but you have to question whether they will be cutting corners that could cost you more in the long term.
• Putting down a deposit is okay. Paying up front isn’t.
• Check with your homeowners insurance and local relief agencies to find out if you can get help covering the cost of your repairs.
• Read the contract carefully before you sign, and pay with a check or credit card.