As another season of severe weather gets underway in Wisconsin, property owners are being urged to watch out for storm chasers promising a quick fix for damage.
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau says you should be careful about fly-by-night contractors who swarm areas hard hit by storms. Spokeswoman Susan Bach says they are typically from out of state, may not be licensed, sometimes use inferior products, and usually will not be around when you discover a problem with their work later on.
Bach says you should do your homework before hiring a contractor. Ask for and check references and compare bids with other companies, rather than just going with the lowest price offered.
The Better Business Bureau is available to help you find out if a contractor is legitimate. Bach says they can check the name and phone number of a company to find if it’s been rated, how long they have been in business, and if there is a record of complaints. You can contact the BBB by calling 1-800-273-1002 or going online.
AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:31)