ARKANSAS, USA — As Arkansans work nonstop to pick up the pieces left behind by deadly tornadoes, a lot of rebuilding lies ahead.
The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) has stepped in to offer advice to those needing repairs. The ACLB says these situations, unfortunately, "bring out dishonest 'storm chasing' contractors hoping to take advantage of vulnerable customers."
To avoid being taken advantage of, here are seven tips the ACLB offers to protect Arkansans.
1. Plan your project
ACLB advises you to analyze the repairs you need first. "No two projects are the same and may require a specialty licensed contractor."
2. Get estimates
It's not the best idea to go off the first estimate someone gives you, even if it sounds like it works for you. ACLB suggests not only getting two to three estimates but also looking at the quality of materials.
Make sure the estimates you are provided include the following:
- The total price
- The materials to be used
- A timetable for payments
- The expected time of completion
3. Check for references
ACLB recommends asking the contractor for written references. Some good questions to ask the references are whether they were satisfied with the contractor's work and whether the contractor followed the contract terms, ACLB said.
4. Require a written contract
ACLB advises to ask the contractor for a detailed contract. The contract should include:
- The work to be done
- The material to be used
- Equipment to be installed
- Schedule of payments
- A timeline of when the work will be completed
- The plan in case there are changes
5. Never pay upfront or make the final payment until the job is complete
ACLB stresses that you should not pay any money until the entire job is complete. Some contractors may ask for payments "to buy the materials to begin your project," but ACLB says you should "never pay for any money upfront" and "do not pay for anything in cash."
6. Monitor the job progress and keep all the paperwork
It is not only essential to keep all of your receipts during a project like this, but ACLB says it's also important to "check in regularly on the progress." ACLB recommends keeping a file with the contract, written changes, bills, invoices, and payment receipts. It's also a good idea to take photos during the project process.
7. Verify licenses and permits
ACLB advises you to verify that the contractor you plan on hiring "has the necessary licenses and permits." You can do this by calling the State Licensing Board or your city.
Any further questions you may have about the contractor you plan on using, ACLB says you can contact them at 501-372-4661.
Cara Carlin from Arkansas Better Business Bureau said they're another resource to verify contractors and businesses.
"Especially after a natural disaster, we see scammers, storm chasers coming into town, and fake charity appeals. It really tugs at the heartstrings, and that's we try to be proactive about getting these messages out there doing your research beforehand, so you don't fall into these traps," Carlin said. "We just want to make sure that people don't sign anything or make any payments up front until they've had time to research the company."
She recommends taking your time with decisions on services and doing proper research.
"In the aftermath, a couple months later, we will see people lose money. And a lot of times, that's because they are in a hurry to get back to normal life. And that's very understandable," Carlin said.
RELATED: Tornado damage forces Northwest Arkansas businesses, schools, and more to announce closures
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.