Hurricanes and tornadoes are unpredictable, and it's important to know what to do when wind and water damage your home and property. Safety comes first, so if a disaster strikes, make sure your family is OK and there are no situations that present further danger or damage to your property.
It's important to call your insurance provider as soon as possible. Many homes and rooms can be saved if cleared and attended to quickly, but if others in your community are dealing with similar issues this process can get backed up easily. Calling quickly will get the claim processed earlier. It's also a good idea to take photos of any damage to the home. Another important step is to secure the property to keep belongings safe and to prevent trespassing.
When it comes time to hire someone for restoration work, beware of scam artists. After a disaster hits an area you can be bombarded with people who don't necessarily have the licensing or credentials to be doing restoration work. Frequently, these fly-by-night operators drive vehicles with out-of-state license plates or set up temporary offices which they can vacate quickly once authorities start looking for them.
Before writing a check, and before allowing any unknown individual into your home, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry suggests that a homeowner:
Homeowners should be especially skeptical if people:
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