In an era of increasing home improvement projects, scams are unfortunately all too prevalent. The good news is, homeowners can take proactive steps to avoid falling prey to them. United Water Restoration Group (UWRG), a trusted leader in damage restoration services, aims to educate homeowners on identifying potential scams and implementing preventive measures. Phil DePaul, the franchise owner of UWRG in Long Island, shared some valuable insights on how homeowners can avoid falling into such scams.
"The truth is, in any business opportunity, there are good players and bad actors, and home improvement is no different," DePaul said. “Particularly in the field of damage restoration, there are potential pitfalls homeowners should be aware of.”
One of the most common scams is related to insurance work and the manipulation of contracts, DePaul notes.
“Sometimes, the property owner can actually sign away their rights to the benefits that come directly from an insurance claim,” DePaul said. “Especially in a time of need, whether it be after a fire, a flood or a disaster, homeowners are shocked. They may not have the wherewithal to ask the right questions, especially where there is no money down, which happens a lot with water damage mitigation. As with anything, the client needs to be careful.”
DePaul also draws attention to insurance fraud, where bills are sent to an insurance carrier for work that wasn’t performed or wasn't necessary.
"There are people taking liberties with someone else's money when it feels like it's up for grabs," he added. “When something happens and you feel like you're in a bad situation — your house is filled with smoke or water — remember to slow down and catch your breath before signing anything.”
In terms of red flags, DePaul urges homeowners to trust their instincts. High-pressure sales tactics, for example, are a significant red flag. “The company should be guiding you through the whole process, being transparent every step of the way,” said DePaul. “If they are not consistent or they are overly eager to tell you what you want to hear, that is not a good sign.”
DePaul adds that one can always check a company's licensing and records with local Consumer Affairs Departments, and should do thorough, in-depth research on prospective companies, both online and through word-of-mouth referrals.
“If you look at a company's track record and their online presence, profile and reputation, and you can vet them across multiple sources, you're on the right path," he shared. “Those are all mechanisms for making sure that you are making the right decisions.”
Since 2008, UWRG, for example, has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, DePaul says, without exception.
DePaul also highlights the importance of hiring contractors who are certified by trusted bodies, such as the International Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). UWRG, for example, exclusively uses IICRC-certified technicians as part of their dedication to integrity, honesty and dependability.
“They are an internationally recognized agency that focuses on making sure the restoration technician and professional is educated, trained and certified,” said DePaul “There are a variety of certifications out there that can help you differentiate who is seasoned in the industry and understands the best practices.”
Another potential issue, while not quite a full scam, is hiring contractors who are not properly insured or licensed. DePaul stresses the importance of these credentials, especially since licenses are required for certain types of work like mold remediation or asbestos abatement. Not only is there a monetary risk when it comes to injury, but there could be significant health risks to the homeowners and those doing the work should they not take proper protocols when handling the abatement. For example, if a contractor was to remove siding that had lead based paint and it's not encapsulated correctly, it can fall around the perimeter of the home get into the water systems around the house, posing significant risks, such as lead poisoning.
“Not every contractor is a specialist in mitigating and handling water damage and property damage,” said DePaul. “A company could be great at doing one thing, but sometimes there's work that is best left to a specialist. Water damage is definitely a more specialized version of home improvement.”
Even more importantly, hiring an insured contractor protects homeowners from liability in case of accidents on their property. While the "local handyman" might seem like a cost-effective option, DePaul warns that there are hidden risks.
"Even if the short term looks like the best value, consider the indirect costs if something goes wrong," he said. “There needs to be a process in place for handling hazardous materials. Or if a contact is up on a ladder and something happens, you don’t want to be the one left having to pay for it. From safety issues to problems with the quality of work, the potential fallout can be considerable if the contractor isn't adequately insured.”
In the case of insurance claims, reaching out to an insurance agent or broker can be a valuable step in understanding the process and one's rights, DePaul says. “Contact your broker or agent and ask for some information on what to expect,” he said. “How should this process roll? What rights do I have? What coverages do I have? There is good information and bad information online, so talking to someone directly is important.”
In conclusion, DePaul offers a nugget of timeless wisdom: "Trust your gut. Use common sense. Avoid high-pressure tactics that make you feel backed into a corner. By being careful and taking the time to research, homeowners should be able to better protect themselves from the pitfalls of home improvement scams,” he said.
The total initial investment to open and begin operation of a UWRG franchise ranges from $159,342–$441,874. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.
United Water Restoration Group
SPONSORED
The damage restoration franchise offers homeowners a reliable, insured and licensed resource to recover their most valuable assets and get back to normal life after a disaster.
In an era of increasing home improvement projects, scams are unfortunately all too prevalent. The good news is, homeowners can take proactive steps to avoid falling prey to them. United Water Restoration Group (UWRG), a trusted leader in damage restoration services, aims to educate homeowners on identifying potential scams and implementing preventive measures. Phil DePaul, the franchise owner of UWRG in Long Island, shared some valuable insights on how homeowners can avoid falling into such scams.
"The truth is, in any business opportunity, there are good players and bad actors, and home improvement is no different," DePaul said. “Particularly in the field of damage restoration, there are potential pitfalls homeowners should be aware of.”
One of the most common scams is related to insurance work and the manipulation of contracts, DePaul notes.
“Sometimes, the property owner can actually sign away their rights to the benefits that come directly from an insurance claim,” DePaul said. “Especially in a time of need, whether it be after a fire, a flood or a disaster, homeowners are shocked. They may not have the wherewithal to ask the right questions, especially where there is no money down, which happens a lot with water damage mitigation. As with anything, the client needs to be careful.”
DePaul also draws attention to insurance fraud, where bills are sent to an insurance carrier for work that wasn’t performed or wasn't necessary.
"There are people taking liberties with someone else's money when it feels like it's up for grabs," he added. “When something happens and you feel like you're in a bad situation — your house is filled with smoke or water — remember to slow down and catch your breath before signing anything.”
In terms of red flags, DePaul urges homeowners to trust their instincts. High-pressure sales tactics, for example, are a significant red flag. “The company should be guiding you through the whole process, being transparent every step of the way,” said DePaul. “If they are not consistent or they are overly eager to tell you what you want to hear, that is not a good sign.”
DePaul adds that one can always check a company's licensing and records with local Consumer Affairs Departments, and should do thorough, in-depth research on prospective companies, both online and through word-of-mouth referrals.
“If you look at a company's track record and their online presence, profile and reputation, and you can vet them across multiple sources, you're on the right path," he shared. “Those are all mechanisms for making sure that you are making the right decisions.”
Since 2008, UWRG, for example, has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, DePaul says, without exception.
DePaul also highlights the importance of hiring contractors who are certified by trusted bodies, such as the International Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). UWRG, for example, exclusively uses IICRC-certified technicians as part of their dedication to integrity, honesty and dependability.
“They are an internationally recognized agency that focuses on making sure the restoration technician and professional is educated, trained and certified,” said DePaul “There are a variety of certifications out there that can help you differentiate who is seasoned in the industry and understands the best practices.”
Another potential issue, while not quite a full scam, is hiring contractors who are not properly insured or licensed. DePaul stresses the importance of these credentials, especially since licenses are required for certain types of work like mold remediation or asbestos abatement. Not only is there a monetary risk when it comes to injury, but there could be significant health risks to the homeowners and those doing the work should they not take proper protocols when handling the abatement. For example, if a contractor was to remove siding that had lead based paint and it's not encapsulated correctly, it can fall around the perimeter of the home get into the water systems around the house, posing significant risks, such as lead poisoning.
“Not every contractor is a specialist in mitigating and handling water damage and property damage,” said DePaul. “A company could be great at doing one thing, but sometimes there's work that is best left to a specialist. Water damage is definitely a more specialized version of home improvement.”
Even more importantly, hiring an insured contractor protects homeowners from liability in case of accidents on their property. While the "local handyman" might seem like a cost-effective option, DePaul warns that there are hidden risks.
"Even if the short term looks like the best value, consider the indirect costs if something goes wrong," he said. “There needs to be a process in place for handling hazardous materials. Or if a contact is up on a ladder and something happens, you don’t want to be the one left having to pay for it. From safety issues to problems with the quality of work, the potential fallout can be considerable if the contractor isn't adequately insured.”
In the case of insurance claims, reaching out to an insurance agent or broker can be a valuable step in understanding the process and one's rights, DePaul says. “Contact your broker or agent and ask for some information on what to expect,” he said. “How should this process roll? What rights do I have? What coverages do I have? There is good information and bad information online, so talking to someone directly is important.”
In conclusion, DePaul offers a nugget of timeless wisdom: "Trust your gut. Use common sense. Avoid high-pressure tactics that make you feel backed into a corner. By being careful and taking the time to research, homeowners should be able to better protect themselves from the pitfalls of home improvement scams,” he said.
The total initial investment to open and begin operation of a UWRG franchise ranges from $159,342–$441,874. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.
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