A good contractor is worth their weight in gold—well, at least in wood, aluminum and drywall. Unfortunately, disreputable ones sometimes lay in wait, pouncing when damages to your home cause you to file an insurance claim.

These opportunistic contractors, also called storm chasers, often track weather damage and can show up at your door, unannounced, after storms have caused widespread roof or siding damage. They employ a variety of manipulative techniques, such as persuading you to sign a contract immediately, asking for cash up front or making an offer that sounds too good to be true.

Fortunately, a little due diligence on your part can go a long way. This checklist includes some of the most important action steps to take when working with a contractor.

It’s always your choice to decide who you want to perform repairs to your home. ERIE recommends you use a contractor who you know and trust, and we can offer recommendations if you don’t have one.

With a homeowners policy, you can also use ERIE’s Property Repair Program, a no-cost program offered in partnership with Alacrity, that helps Customers with home insurance claims locate qualified, local contractors. Each one of the more than 4,000 contractors within the network undergoes a rigorous and ongoing credentialing process, and their work is guaranteed for three years. Your claims adjuster can help you access the network.

Get References

Request references from the contractor, and check them out.

Check BBB Rating

Confirm the contractor is rated by the Better Business Bureau.

Be Present

Be there when the contractor inspects the roof, and ask questions.

Get an Estimate

Request a detailed estimate identifying the cost breakdown and when the work will be completed. Also ask about guarantees, warranties and the payment schedule.

Wait to Sign

Do not sign anything until you are satisfied with the above items.

Keep Records

Keep written records and receipts of all work.

Report Fraud

Report any fraudulent activities by calling ERIE’s Fraud Hotline at 800-368-6696 or by emailing ERIE’s Fraud Finders® at fraud.finders@erieinsurance.com.

A prior version of this article had an incorrect phone number listed for ERIE’s Fraud Hotline.  The incorrect phone number is also in the print version of the Fall 2024 issue of Eriesense magazine.