It can be tempting to grab the phone and call whatever repair company is closest or has the biggest advertisements on social media when you have a household issue. But, when it comes right down to it, what you need is the best person for the job itself, not the one with the biggest advertising budget. You still need, however, somebody right now! What do you need to know before calling a repair company?
What You Need
It can be confusing and expensive to not realize what kind of repair specialist you need. For example, if you need help repairing your well, a general plumber is not the person to call, no matter how great they do at household plumbing repair: you need a well specialist. Understanding common roofing terms is very helpful when you must call a roofing company. Saying, “there was a whoosh and a crackle sound,” isn’t as helpful as knowing you’re missing shingles and have a power line down. Understanding a problem is key to repairing it.
What Your Insurance Covers
Knowing what costs are coming from insurance and which are coming out of pocket is important before hiring your specialist. Many insurance companies have contracted in your area with specific contractors. This means that if you hire someone for a repair, and it’s not their approved person, they might not pay at all. Always check with your insurers prior to beginning a repair.
You should also consult your claims representative before signing any documentation or contracts. There are forms called “Assignment of Benefits” that could render your claim payment to your contractor instead of yourself. You always want to be clear you are not signing away your rights as the insured.
Word of Mouth
If your insurer is not covering the repair, or if you have choices in the matter, asking around for word of mouth for an expert is a great option. You can ask in local search engine business pages to see what ratings businesses have. Local Facebook pages will have those who know who is responsible, and who to avoid, in your area. Your best option, of course, is to ask in your local community, church, or friends group, whether in person or online. Often those closest to you know a specialist who does great work, is local to you, and has the experience you need.
Always check first with your insurer, and know what it is you have to have done, before searching for your experts. Then, find the best contractor with good ratings and great word of mouth references! Pretty soon your home repair will be done, and you’ll be confident that it was done well!
Read this next: Wood Floor Water Damage: What to Do Next
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
