nature

TMR Tip: Don’t Raze the Roof

/ abschilling / Leave a comment

RoofWell, the stormy season has arrived and, in Illinois, that means it’s time to expect the unexpected. Heavy rain? Probably. Severe storms? Sometimes. Tornadoes? Occasionally. Hail? Sure, why not? Which also means it’s the season for solicitors. Specifically, roofing “specialists”.

In our neighborhood, we’ve had an influx of roofing contractors knocking on our doors offering free inspections for hail damage from a recent storm. I remember it well. I was in my classroom and several of my students jumped from their seats and flooded to the window to see the hail bounce off the lawn. A few weeks later, I answered the door to find a man with a clipboard and a smile. I offered up a cautious smile (complete with inward eye roll) as I held back my wildly barking dog. (She’s really just a big marshmallow, but I secretly enjoyed the unsure look on his face as he backed up a few steps.) He informed me that he and his crew were going around the area giving free estimates to homeowners and that it would only take him about ten or fifteen minutes to walk around my house and assess the damage.

Huh. Well.

First of all, I don’t like the fact that he blew by his, and the company, name and launched into his rapid-fire spiel. (I guess maybe he expected me to read the tiny lettering on his polo from fifteen feet away?)

Second, I don’t like being told that he is going to walk around my house, assuming that he has permission to do so.

So, I held up my hand to stop him as he began to turn, ready to start his little tour of my property. I informed him that I was not comfortable with him inspecting my house without me or my husband present, that I was not interested in getting an estimate at this time, and that I would not be moving forward with any kind of inspection or repair to my house without speaking with my husband and our insurance company.

He then said, “It’s ok. We’re good. We’ve talked to all of your neighbors on this side, over here,” he gave a vague swoop of his hand toward some houses. How nice. “And four of them have signed up with us already today, so . . .”

So . . . I told him again that I wasn’t interested, thanked him, and wished him a nice day. Then I closed the door.

Later that same day, the same man knocked on our door again, only this time I made my husband answer the door. Ten minutes later, hubby walked through the door with a doubtful shake of his head and a sarcastic smile. He informed me that the man had identified several spots on our roof and siding where there was hail damage. We went outside and I laughed. First, because my husband’s impression of the man’s intensity was spot on, second, I really couldn’t see what all the fuss was about and third, I personally knew that one of the “dings” on the downspout was not, in fact, caused by hail, but by a wayward Frisbee.

Long story short, we decided not to get our roof fixed, even with the generous $500 credit the man was willing to give us to help with our insurance deductible. It just didn’t feel right. Something was off. We felt like we were being hustled – especially when we found a note on our door that read, “I got seven of your neighbors! Don’t be left out!”

Turns out our instincts were right. We received a letter from our association stating that several homeowners have complained about contractors soliciting in the neighborhoods and that one was so bold as to say that the association had contracted them to do so. No way, says our association. Not true. They also provided us with two articles to help us make informed decisions about who we hire to make repairs on our homes. (I’ve included them at the end.) Here’s what I learned . . .

They’re called “Storm Chasers”. They usually watch storm reports and then send out teams of people to the affected areas. They’re pushy and eager to offer free estimates, they create scenarios to make homeowners nervous, and they know how to manipulate insurance companies. Here are some of the red flags to look out for:

  1. Out-of-town license plates Not only is this a sign that they’re ‘chasers’, but it also means that, once they’re done, they move on and won’t be around to fix any problems that may arise as a result of their poor workmanship.
  2. P.O. Box If they don’t have a legitimate street address, it could be incredibly difficult to track them down if you have any problems. Also, the phone number they provide could be temporary (which can be easily disconnected once they leave the area) or has calls forwarded to an out-of-state number.
  3. They have their own adjusters This person works for the contractor, not an insurance agency, and does the property damage assessment. They know how to write the claim to convince your insurance company to pay for a new roof.
  4. It has to be done now! They’re going to try every trick in the book to get you to agree on the spot. No time to waste! Or who knows what will happen the next time a storm rolls through . . . .

So, yeah. These people are pretty crafty, but you don’t have to fall victim to their schemes. There are some things you can do to ward of the predators so they don’t raze your roof and raise your blood pressure.

  1. Trust your instincts If they show up at your door unannounced, offering free estimates, a big discount, and their visit just happens to coincide with recent violent acts of nature – politely decline and close the door! If it sounds too good to be true . . .
  2. Do your research Make sure they’re legit. Contact the BBB and check their status as well as how long they’ve been a member. (If they’re brand new members, it could be a red flag for you.) See if they have a website or if anyone has heard of them.
  3. Ask them for proof You have every right, as a homeowner, to ask for proof of insurance, and that they are properly licensed. Then, check it out to make sure it’s true.
  4. Ask for a business card, brochure, or identification Make sure they have a legitimate street address and local phone number. Maybe even suggest a visit to their office . . . you’ll have to choose colors, right?
  5. Get a permit Many counties and associations require a permit before making repairs or additions to the existing structure of your house. Find out, then don’t do anything without one.
  6. Talk to your insurance company first Contact your insurance company before agreeing to, or signing, anything. Your agent is the expert and will explain all that needs to be done before moving forward. (Just be sure to ask how your premiums will be affected if you make a claim.)
  7. Ask around Talk to family, friends, and neighbors who have had repairs or replacements done and find out who they hired.

These are just some of the things to watch for and do if a contractor comes a knockin’. Remember, unless your roof has been severely damaged or ripped off by a storm and it’s raining in your bathroom, there’s no big rush to get repairs done tomorrow. Don’t panic, take your time, do your research, talk to your insurance company, and find a reputable company to do the work.

For more information and tips on how to save yourself from the frustration of fraud, read these articles:

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/roofing-scam-storm-chaser.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Spot-a-Storm-Chasing-Roofing-Contractor-After-a-Disaster

 

Thanks to the director of my homeowners association, who keeps us in the loop about what’s going on in our neighborhood and for sharing these articles with us. Thanks, also, to wikiHow and Angie’s List for creating these helpful articles.

On a personal note, kudos to the REAL Storm Chasers out there who risk their lives in order to study severe weather so that we can be informed and stay safe. I find it all very fascinating.

Tuesday’s Tip: Set Up Camp

/ abschilling / Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but Cabin Fever has crept into our house and settled in. It’s cold and dreary outside, with no snow to play in, and it’s making us nuts. Ugh! We were discussing that very thing at dinner and how much we wished for warmer weather when it dawned on me . . . and I said to my family, “You know, camping season is less than two months away.”

The kids gasped, exchanged wild glances (mouths gaping), and began to cheer. This is exciting stuff for us. Truly. Some may understand and agree, while others may crinkle their noses and think ‘ewww’. The images that are conjured up in the mind include mosquitoes, big bugs, campfire smell, getting dirty, and public bathrooms. But for us, it means summer. It means travel and freedom. It means campfires and s’mores. It means swimming, fishing, and being outside. It means grilling, picnics, and hayrack rides. It means hiking, exploring, and a host of other fantastic adventures. And we can’t wait for it to start . . .

So, how is this related to saving money? Easy. Camping is less expensive than typical vacations. In most cases, there is an initial investment to consider, however the long-term benefits are phenomenal, especially when you consider the cost of lodging. Depending on where you camp, fees can be as low as $10 per night. The more amenities there are, the higher the price, but we’ve never paid more than $30 per night – anywhere. Good luck finding a hotel room for those prices! If you’d like to give camping a try, here are a few tips to keep expenses to a minimum.

First of all, keep in mind that you’ll be taking your stuff with you and hauling it back home afterward, so you’ll need to pack lightly. Take only what you absolutely need. Pack minimal personal items, like clothing and a few toiletries. Pack a couple of travel-sized games or cards and a book. These are all things you probably have at home, so no need to buy anything. If you’re going for just a night or two, bring your food with you, but make sure you plan easy meals. Nothing elaborate. You’re camping, not ‘dining’.

Second, if you don’t have any gear whatsoever, you have a couple of options. You can purchase the basics, like a few pots and pans, at discount stores or simply bring what you need from your own kitchen, especially if you’re testing the camping waters. Also, use paper plates and plastic utensils and cups to make clean-up quick and easy. Plus, they’re cheap, lightweight, and easy to store. And chances are that you already have a sleeping bag hidden in a closet somewhere, so you’re halfway there.

Third, if you are new to camping and don’t have a tent, borrow one if you can. Most of us know someone who camps, so it’s not that difficult to track one down. If, however, you absolutely can’t stand (or can’t physically handle) sleeping on or near the ground, you can go the camper route. Many campgrounds and dealerships rent various types of campers from pop-ups to 5th wheels to luxury busses. If you know someone with a camper, try offering to rent theirs, or ask if you can go camping with them to see if it suits you. (Camping is always fun with more than one family!)

Finally, make sure you research different campgrounds. Compare campsites, prices, and amenities. There’s a difference in price for primitive vs. water & electric vs. full hook-up. Also, some campgrounds have all kinds of things like pools, tennis and basketball courts, mini-golf, horseshoe pits, hayrack rides, outdoor movies and games for the whole family – but beware! Some places include many of these items in the price, and others charge extra for just about everything.

Really, though, the trick to camping of any kind is to keep it simple. Take what you need. If it doesn’t fit in the backpack, leave it behind. You’re not going to need your phone, fax, and copier. Or your surround sound system. Disconnect! It’s easy to get caught up in the complexities of life and we think we can’t live without all of our gadgets, toys, and gizmos, but the reality is that camping is an inexpensive way to bring us together and enjoy all the simple things in life that we’ve forgotten. The warmth of a blazing campfire, the sweetness of a gooey marshmallow, the glow of the morning sun on a still lake, the giggles of kids playing tag, or the songs we sing on a sunset hayrack ride . . .

Campin’ season’s a comin’!