Scam Alert
Storm chasers are responsible for a big portion of residential roofing and siding scams. Homeowners should be aware that some storm chasers only do the bare minimum to replace the house siding and/or roof. Some don’t properly address other problems or restore the roof or siding to its original condition.
Many times, homeowners are left with poorly constructed roofs or unsecured residential siding, and the fraudulent company that was once so ready to help, has vanished.
Sugar Grove requests that residents do their due diligence if damage occurred to your residence. Contact your insurance company for guidance as they will have relationships with existing adjusters/contractors that perform the work. Several companies flood the areas affected after a major storm passes through our community. Sugar Grove allows individuals and companies to apply for a solicitors permit to go door to door offering their goods and services. These individuals are not endorsed by the Village of Sugar Grove and are allowed to solicit in jurisdictions per court case rulings.
Just a reminder that building permits are required prior to re-roofing, re-siding and most other structural type repairs or improvements on your home. Contractors are required by Ordinance to be registered with the Village of Sugar Grove prior to performing any work. Please feel free to contact the Building Department for a list of registered contractors for the type of work that is needed on your home at 630-391-7220. Building permit information is available on our website at: https://www.sugargroveil.gov/permit-forms. Village of Sugar Grove Community Development is ready to expedite permits for needed repairs to occur. All door-to-door solicitors must have a solicitors permit from our Police Department prior to soliciting within the Village
Here are some sample industry guidelines to follow:
The best way to avoid the storm chaser is to do your own research. Ask to see proof of insurance and check the roofer’s license status with your local building department or licensing agency.
- Be wary of contractors who go door to door to offer repair services. Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust and, whenever possible, use established local contractors.
- Call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline 1-800-386-5438 to check out a contractor and to learn if any complaints have been filed against a particular business.
- Visit the Better Business Bureau’s central Illinois, St. Louis or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it.
- Even if there is a need to act quickly, shop around. Get written estimates from multiple contractors, and don’t be rushed into a deal.
- Get all of the terms of a contract in writing and obtain a copy of the signed contract.
- Never make full payment until all the work has been completed to your satisfaction.
- Never pay in cash.
- Be aware that you have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if you signed it based on the contractor’s visit to your home.
- In the case of disaster repair, you have an additional right to cancel. If your insurance carrier denies coverage, you have the right to cancel the contract within five days of when your insurance carrier denies your coverage.
- Ask to see required state and local permits and licenses. Insurance adjusters and roofers must be licensed by state agencies. If the contractor does not have a required license, or if the name on the license doesn’t match the name on the contractor’s business card or truck, that should raise a red flag. Please visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s website to search licenses. Contact the Department of Insurance at (866) 445-5364 to verify that the public adjuster is licensed and in good standing.
