MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warns Wisconsin residents to be on the lookout for "storm chasers."
Storm chasers charge high prices for shoddy work or offer a low price to get an upfront payment and then run off with a victim's money. The workers are often from out of state and move quickly from town to town, making them difficult to track. The workers pressure homeowners for a down payment and sometimes increase the price of the job when they ask for the final payment.
The Wisconsin state law, "The Storm Chaser Law," gives DATCP enforcement tools to protect consumers and honest businesses and aims to prevent insurance fraud. Highlights of the law include:
• Contractors cannot promise to pay all or some of a property insurance deductible.
• Contractors cannot represent or negotiate with the customer's homeowner's insurer on behalf of the customer. The contractor can, with the consent of the customer, discuss damages and costs associated with the repairs with the insurer.
• Before entering into a contract with a customer, the contractor must give the customer a questionnaire to determine whether the work requested is related to an insurance claim.
• Customers have a right to cancel the contract within three business days of being notified that their insurer has denied all or any part of the claim for work. Contractors must notify customers of this right.
Additional consumer protection tips for homeowners with storm damage include:
• Hire a contractor based on referrals. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations and ask contractors for references. Before signing a contract, contact DATCP to see if there have been complaints about the business.
• Try to get a local contractor. Ask contractors if they are subcontracting your job. Be careful if local contractors are using outside subcontractors.
• Get lien waivers from anyone who is paid for home repairs. Lien waivers protect homeowners if the person collecting the money does not pay the suppliers or workers.
• Get a written contract with a start and completion date and warranty information. Also, make certain that the contract states exactly what work is to be done and what materials are to be used. Never rely on a verbal commitment.
• Ask to see the contractor's state registration card. Make sure that any contractor you are considering hiring shows you their state registration card.
• Have someone watch the work being done. Check with a local building inspector to see if the work requires a permit. Make sure an inspector visits the job site before you make a final payment.
• Request a copy of the contractor's certificate of liability insurance.
For more information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, email datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline at 800-422-7128. Visit the Consumer Protection Bureau's Facebook at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer.
Storm chasers charge high prices for shoddy work or offer a low price to get an upfront payment and then run off with a victim's money. The workers are often from out of state and move quickly from town to town, making them difficult to track. The workers pressure homeowners for a down payment and sometimes increase the price of the job when they ask for the final payment.
The Wisconsin state law, "The Storm Chaser Law," gives DATCP enforcement tools to protect consumers and honest businesses and aims to prevent insurance fraud. Highlights of the law include:
• Contractors cannot promise to pay all or some of a property insurance deductible.
• Contractors cannot represent or negotiate with the customer's homeowner's insurer on behalf of the customer. The contractor can, with the consent of the customer, discuss damages and costs associated with the repairs with the insurer.
• Before entering into a contract with a customer, the contractor must give the customer a questionnaire to determine whether the work requested is related to an insurance claim.
• Customers have a right to cancel the contract within three business days of being notified that their insurer has denied all or any part of the claim for work. Contractors must notify customers of this right.
Additional consumer protection tips for homeowners with storm damage include:
• Hire a contractor based on referrals. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations and ask contractors for references. Before signing a contract, contact DATCP to see if there have been complaints about the business.
• Try to get a local contractor. Ask contractors if they are subcontracting your job. Be careful if local contractors are using outside subcontractors.
• Get lien waivers from anyone who is paid for home repairs. Lien waivers protect homeowners if the person collecting the money does not pay the suppliers or workers.
• Get a written contract with a start and completion date and warranty information. Also, make certain that the contract states exactly what work is to be done and what materials are to be used. Never rely on a verbal commitment.
• Ask to see the contractor's state registration card. Make sure that any contractor you are considering hiring shows you their state registration card.
• Have someone watch the work being done. Check with a local building inspector to see if the work requires a permit. Make sure an inspector visits the job site before you make a final payment.
• Request a copy of the contractor's certificate of liability insurance.
For more information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, email datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline at 800-422-7128. Visit the Consumer Protection Bureau's Facebook at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer.
