GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – News footage of surging floodwater, ravaged homes, and displaced families are prompting many Wisconsinites to look for ways to help by donating time or money to help flood victims.
Flooded basements and destroyed properties mean many people will be in need of a contractor to fix the damage.
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says the hiring process is one that should not be rushed into.
“Make sure that you are getting two or three bids and comparing those bids apples to apples.”
She says it is not best to hire the first company or cheapest company just to get the job done faster. She says it also helps to have a payment structure in place.
“Make sure that you don’t pay one hundred percent on the payment upfront,” Bach says. “You will want to try to make the payments in thirds.”
Bach recommends making a downpayment, one more at a milestone and the rest when the job is done.
She says it is also important to make sure not to go with the lowest bid automatically without research. She says sometimes, the quality of work is lower with lower prices.
You can check up on companies at the BBB Website.
BBB reminds donors to make sure they’re donating to real non-profits who are able to deliver aid where it’s needed.
Bach says in the past fake FEMA workers have been looking to get away with money. “They were going door to door asking for payment to assess the damage.”
The Better Business Bureau says FEMA workers will never demand money for inspections in that way, and they will always be wearing a name badge for identification and to watch out for scammers promising to speed up building permits, insurance payments for a fee.
Some people will go door to door trying to collect money for flood victims, and in some cases, the money never gets to those in need and many times people think they are donating to a good cause when they are actually donating to a scam artist’s pocketbook.
Bach says it is important to note that so far with this particular flood timeframe, they have not received any reports of false charities or scams, but history shows people need to be on the lookout during the flooding aftermath.
Before signing a home improvement contract the BBB says it is important to check with your insurance company about policy coverage and filing requirements, get all estimates in writing, never sign a contract with blank spaces or one that you do not fully understand. It is also important to make sure the company’s full name, address, and phone number are on the contract, make sure the contractor has proper insurance and check building and contractor qualifications with the State Department of Safety.
