According to playwright Jean-Paul Sartre, hell is other people. While this may be poetic generalization, there are individuals who would jump at the opportunity to mess up the lives of their fellowmen for their own gain. These kinds of people come in all guises; around the Unites States, one particular breed are known as “storm chasers”. Joe Bindebutel, Chief Counsel of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division in Missouri, describes them as unscrupulous folk who seek to scam homeowners in need of house repair following a storm.
In an article by Jessica Manchetta for Missourinet, Bindebutel warns homeowners of these people, who try to deceive vulnerable homeowners into paying them for the prompt repair of their roofs and siding. Such a warning is easily applicable to people who live two states south, in Minnesota; one should make sure that any supposed roofing and siding professionals knocking at their door are the real deal. Thus roofs and siding in St. Paul and other Minnesota cities should only be entrusted to licensed roofing and siding companies.
One of the things that residents should look for from their contractors is the license to operate. Those who are offering roofing and siding services should be licensed by the state of Minnesota. They should be in league with Twin Cities Siding and Roofing and other entities recognized by the Department of Labor and Industry or DLI, which oversees licenses for roofers, plumbers, and home installers, among others.
Even the most experienced contractors can still make mistakes. With this in mind, the residents of Minnesota must only negotiate with contractors who have liability and damage insurance. In case of construction mishaps, consumers will not have to lose more than they already have since insured contractors entitle them for some compensation from the state’s Contractor Recovery Fund; some even have workers’ compensation coverage, which is a boon to workers who might sustain injuries while remedying a roof or worn out St. Paul siding.
The people who identify themselves as proficient contractors may not be what they seem if they pressure their would-be clients into signing any document on-the-spot. Reputable contractors do not take such measures until they have thoroughly assessed the roof and siding situation in the affected residence. Clueless individuals may find themselves in a rut if they fall for faux contractors’ advances, as the fine print in the documents they brandish equates to a valid contract; indeed, failing to take the time and being pressured into agreeing is what Bindebutel called “money out the window.”
Man becomes vulnerable after losing people or possessions he value the most. However, he must try his hardest to remain vigilant, as the time for mourning attracts ill-willed individuals who want nothing more than to amass fortune at others’ expense. Thus, homeowners should not rush headfirst into a bargain with a stranger claiming to be a good contractor – unless he has a license to show for it.
