Avoid Storm-Damage Scammers: Village Of Oswego

OSWEGO, IL — Following the Memorial Day storms that damaged many homes throughout Oswego, the Village of Oswego is reminding residents to do their due diligence when hiring contractors to repair siding and roofing or to perform other home repairs and improvements.

Often following severe weather, contractors will arrive in a community and begin soliciting either by phone or door to door. Many of these companies are reputable and do fine work, however, unscrupulous contractors may overcharge residents, perform substandard repairs, or not complete the work at all.

The Village takes several steps to help protect residents from potential bad actors. This includes requiring background checks and registration for door-to-door solicitors and requiring permits and inspections for work completed, however, residents are advised to take precautions when agreeing to hire a contractor for storm repairs.

• Get it all in writing. Sign a contract that specifically outlines the work to be done and the timeframe, as well as any guarantees on the work.
• Take your time and comparison shop. A reputable contractor will be able to provide you with an itemized estimate of the work to be done. Get several estimates, say no to high-pressure sales tactics, and sleep on it before making a decision.
• Work with your insurance company. Your insurance representative may have a list of contractors they have worked with previously and can recommend. They will also have specific paperwork requirements for reimbursement, so working with your insurance company early on can save you a lot of money and headaches.
• Insist on permits. Permits are required for most kinds of storm damage repair, including repairs to roofs, siding, windows, decks, sheds and other accessory structures. A permit and inspection ensure that your contractor makes repairs in compliance with codes designed to keep your home safe and structurally sound. Reputable contractors will pull a permit and comply with inspection requirements. At the conclusion of the project, you can then get an inspection report as proof that the project was done properly.

A solicitor’s permit is required for companies that sell their services door to door. You can ask anyone who comes to your door to produce a copy of their permit. If a solicitor comes to your door without a permit, ignores a No Soliciting sticker, or otherwise causes concern, contact the Oswego Police Department’s non-emergency line at 630-551-7300.

You can find more frequently asked questions about contractors and permitting on the Village’s homepage, www.oswegoil.org.

For more information about your specific repair project or about Building & Zoning questions in general, contact the Building & Zoning Department at 630-551-2312. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or visit www.oswegoil.org/government/departments/building-and-zoning.aspx.

Submitted by the Village of Oswego