Alert: Home Repair Scams to Watch for After a Storm

When a storm damages homes, people need repairs fast. That is exactly when dishonest "storm chasers" show up: crews from out of town who knock on doors, take deposits and disappear, or do poor work that fails the next time it rains. Here is what to watch for.

The most common tricks

• The big deposit. They ask for a large payment up front "to order materials," then never come back.
• The free roof inspection. Someone climbs on your roof and "finds" damage, sometimes damage they caused.
• Today-only pricing. Pressure to sign right now before you can compare quotes.
• Insurance promises. "Your insurance will cover everything, just sign here." Some contracts give the contractor rights over your insurance claim.
• No permit needed. Skipping permits saves them time and leaves you with work that may fail inspection when you sell.

Warning signs

• No local address, or a truck with out-of-state plates and no company name.
• They cannot show a license or proof of insurance.
• Cash only, or payment to a personal account.
• A contract with blanks, or no contract at all.

How to protect yourself

1. Take photos of all damage before anyone starts work, and call your insurance company first.
2. Check the contractor's license with your state or county.
3. Get at least three written quotes.
4. Pay a reasonable deposit only, and pay the rest as work is completed.
5. Never sign anything you do not fully understand.

If something feels wrong, report it to your state attorney general or consumer protection office. On CSI Elite Services, pros can upload their license and insurance, and a "Verified pro" badge means our team checked them.