[Highlights and Comments added]

When Janice Dorn’s home was damaged by a tornado that whipped through her DeSoto neighborhood in April, she wanted to get her home fixed as soon as possible. But the contractor she and neighbors hired did shoddy work and, in some cases, charged for work that was never done.

“When you are the most traumatized, under panic and stress, they get you to sign and you’re hooked,” she said. “It’s wrong.”

Many other Texas homeowners are facing a similar situation since Hurricane Ike ripped into the Gulf Coast.

After a disaster, homeowners desperate to get their lives back to normal may be preyed upon by problem repair companies. That’s when homeowners should really be sure to check out any company they hire to do repairs.

Take time before you sign contracts for other repairs, Ms. Dorn said, and “get immediate repairs done such as drying and boarding up windows.”

Before contracting to have any repairs done, be sure to get an estimate from your insurance company. While insurance agents and adjusters can be extremely busy after a disaster, you should receive an estimate in a timely manner. If you don’t, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.

At least 7,700 Texans filed complaints with TDI from January 2002 through May 2008 because their claims were delayed.

Getting your insurance company’s estimate will give you a baseline for written bids from repair companies. Don’t just hire the first company that comes knocking on your door. Get references for repair companies from friends or neighbors.

The Texas Attorney general suggests that people avoid out-of-town companies because it will be more difficult to correct any problems that occur later.

Both the Better Business Bureau and the attorney general’s office warn against using repair companies that solicit business door-to-door. The attorney general’s office also suggests choosing a company with a physical address, not just a cell phone number, so you know you’re dealing with an established company.

Do not pay for a job up-front. If you need to make an initial payment, keep all receipts and make sure the terms of payment are specified in your estimate.

Be sure that any contractor you use has insurance; otherwise, you could be held responsible if a worker is injured on your property.

You can get more information about contractors from the Texas Residential Construction Commission, which licenses homebuilders and remodeling companies.

[The TRCC keeps promoting this MISLEADING information. This agency does NOT license homebuilders but only "registers" them. They can tell you if companies are registered, but with no assurance they are qualified. And while the TRCC may be able to help resolve some construction displutes, they have no authority to force them to fix confirmed problems and instead pose barriers to other legal remedies. That's why we advocate abolishing the TRCC - It does more consumer harm than good.]

The BBB provides a searchable database of companies that are members or for which it has received complaints.

In addition, the Texas Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau provide more guidelines for consumers seeking information about repair and construction companies. The attorney general’s office also has a consumer protection hotline at 1-800-621-0508.

If you have problems with a repair company, you can file a complaint with both organizations. You also can file a complaint with the attorney general’s office if you think a company is overcharging for products in high demand after a disaster. It is illegal to take advantage of a disaster by raising prices.

watchdog@dallasnews.com

The Dallas Morning News
09/17/2008

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/citizenwatchdog/stories/091708dnmetcitizenwatchdog.82b32c3f.html

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