--- title: "Personal Risk Management: 7 Tips For Avoiding Home Repair Scams" description: Be cautious when hiring contractors, especially after severe weather. Here are 7 tips to consider as part of your personal risk management strategy. image: https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hubfs/blog-files/Home_Repair_Scams.jpg --- [**](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/personal-risk-management-7-tips-for-avoiding-home-repair-scams#tmpmodule_1568675152246189) - [Client Login](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/gibson-client-login) - [Contact Us](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/contact) **** [![Gibson Logo](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png?width=2518&height=1088&name=Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png) ![Gibson Logo](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png?width=2518&height=1088&name=Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png) ](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/) [**](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/personal-risk-management-7-tips-for-avoiding-home-repair-scams#tmpmodule_1568675152246189) - [Services](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/employee-benefits) - [Business Insurance](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/business-insurance) - [Private Client Group](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/private-client-group) - [Industries](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/industries) - [Insights & News](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog) - [Insights & News](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog) - [Webinars](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/webinars) - [Podcast](https://podcast.thegibsonedge.com) - [About Us](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/about-us) - [Become a Partner](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/become-a-partner) - [Leadership](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/leadership) - [Community Impact](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/impact) - [Sightline](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/sightline) - [About URA](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/ura) - [Offices](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/offices) - [Careers](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/careers) ** ###### 2 min read # [Personal Risk Management: 7 Tips For Avoiding Home Repair Scams](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/personal-risk-management-7-tips-for-avoiding-home-repair-scams) Jul 18, 2016 6:30:00 AM ![Home_Repair_Scams.jpg](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-files/Home_Repair_Scams.jpg?width=250&height=164&name=Home_Repair_Scams.jpg "Home_Repair_Scams.jpg")Disaster struck. Now what? Whether a hail storm, destructive winds, or a [tornado](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/tornado-safety-preparing-your-home-and-family-for-a-storm), when your life is turned upside down by [severe weather](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/disasterready-severe-weather), it is important to stay smart to avoid further harm. Whereas many people see heartbreak and empathy when looking at victims of natural disasters, some swindlers, dubbed “[storm chasers](http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/news-events/news-releases/2016/03/beware-of-storm-chasers-and-other-doorstep-contractors/)” by the Better Business Bureau, see opportunity to make money from other people’s misfortunes. They come knocking at your door offering construction, clean up, or other repair “services” after storms or damaging weather. But are they trustworthy? Or are they looking to cheat you out of your hard-earned money? Often these scammers will target an entire neighborhood or community following a destructive storm. Before you say yes to a contractor, we encourage you to consider the following 7 tips. Being cautious and diligent when hiring contractors can help you avoid being conned. 1. **Seek recommendations. **Ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. 2. **Get credentials.** Collect business cards and make sure to get all relevant information from the contractor so you can check their credentials. 3. **Do your research. **Double check the contractor’s license online. Check the Better Business Bureau to make sure they have a positive track record. 4. **Check references.** Ask for and check references. Good references are extremely valuable regarding trustworthy repair work. 5. **Don’t rush into a contract. **Accept no verbal agreements; only agree to written contracts. Gather and compare written estimates from all potential contractors before agreeing on the work. Estimate should include a breakdown of the cost of labors, materials, and all other verbal promises made. 6. **Be aware of common fraud tactics.** Frequently, the scammers will request a large deposit and then never show up to actually complete the work. Another fraud technique is using cheap or sub-standard materials to complete the job, increasing their profits. This later causes the homeowners to have to redo the job at their own expense. 7. **Never directly hand over a check from your insurance agency to the contractor.** Some operators may request that you sign a contract allowing them to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Instead, consider using the bank as a middleman and arrange for a certificate of completion. The bank, with your approval, will pay the contractor in installments for each section of the job completed. [Disaster planning is an important part of your personal risk management strategy](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/8-tips-for-personal-disaster-preparedness). It is not only about preparing BEFORE disaster strikes, but also about getting you ready to handle the aftermath – including helping you avoid home repair scammers, should they come knocking at your door. ###### Topics: [Personal Insurance & Risk Management](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/topic/personal-insurance-risk-management) ![Gibson](https://via.placeholder.com/100x100.jpg/e0e7ee) #### Written by [Gibson](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/author/gibson) Gibson is a team of risk management and employee benefits professionals with a passion for helping leaders look beyond what others see and get to the proactive side of insurance. Gibson is driven by close relationships with clients, employees, and the communities they serve. The first Gibson office opened in 1933 in northern Indiana, and as the company’s reach grew, so did their team. Today, Gibson serves clients across the country from offices in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, and Utah. 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