Waylon Cunningham

Another round of storms pummeled East Texas on Monday evening.

In addition to tens of thousands of power and internet outages, many are reporting downed trees, various types of structural damage, flooding, and tree limbs and debris have been strewn across East Texas roads and properties.

As cleanup and recovery efforts continue, BBB reminds storm victims to choose wisely when deciding which businesses to use for repairs and provides the following recommendations.

“Storm victims should never feel pressured choose to a contractor without reviewing their work history,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Central East Texas. “It’s important to protect yourself from further harm by ensuring you’re in good hands by making sure the companies you choose to do business with are reputable.”

BBB provides the following tips to help you recover safely and effectively:

Evaluate the impact

Assess the damage and take pictures.

Contact your insurance company immediately. Inquire about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. This gets the ball rolling on the claim process.

Document the damage to your property (and autos). Take pictures and if possible, video evidence.

Do not make any permanent repairs until you get approval from your insurance company. Your insurer might not fully reimburse you for permanent repairs without authorization.

Clean and make temporary repairs

Make minor repairs which will limit further damage to the home. If you must make temporary repairs to protect your home from the elements, save all your receipts.

Wear protective clothing. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Be cautious!

Learn more about how to clean up after a tornado from the Red Cross, including the supplies you’ll need and how to handle fire hazards such as gas, electricity, and chemicals.

Be on the lookout for price gouging. Report instances to BBB and the Attorney General’s office.

Choose the professionals needed for your repairs

Go to BBB.org to find roofing contractors, tree services, tree removal, damage restoration, gutter repair, electricians, flood emergency other contractors near you. Use BBB’s free Get a Quote feature to get bids from BBB Accredited Businesses in your area.

Do your research. Local and national companies may do a fine job with your storm damage repair needs, but if you choose to do business with someone not local, be sure to understand how service needs which may arise after the completion of the project will be addressed.

Learn about storm chasers. Be on the lookout for businesses that follow storms hoping for a quick buck. Research anyone who offers you unsolicited assistance carefully.

Ask about preventive features and installations. Check with your contractor about adding tornado-resistant features to help protect against future damage during the repair process.

Understand what you sign

Read and understand anything you are asked to sign. Avoid signing an “estimate” or “authorization” form before hiring a particular contractor.

Get a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. It should specify the work, the materials used, and the price breakdown for both labor and materials.

Any oral promises should be written into the contract, including warranties on materials or labor.

Make sure you know the terms and conditions if you cancel a contract.

Understand the terms and conditions and get copies of warranties and guarantees.

A contractor should be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, not you.

Head to BBB.org. Check out BBB’s tips for hiring a restoration contractor, hiring a tree service, and debris removal.

Review contracts, deposits, and payments

Make sure the contract is specific. Be sure the contract specifies the schedule for releasing payments to the contractor. Ask for a start and end date for the work to be done.

Never pay in full in advance. Do not pay with cash. Don’t make a final payment or sign a completion agreement until all work is completed to your satisfaction.

Victims of severe storm damage should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor. Start with companies you can trust by looking for the BBB Seal. It’s the sign of a better business. For more tips on all aspects of choosing a general contractor to help with damage, go to BBB’s General Contractor HQ. To find a tree trimming service near you, go to bbb.org.