As hundreds of families continue to cleanup after recent floods, the need for professional help is as high as ever.
Many restoration companies are short on workers and have resorted to searching for help outside of Canada.
On-Side Restoration is one of those companies needing more workers. The business has hired 200 skilled tradespeople to help with the overwhelming number of projects.
Most of these employees were put up in hotels, but because accommodations are limited during the ten days of the Calgary Stampede, temporary housing has been set up, and 88 workers are living in a dozen ATCO trailers.
While it's important to get professional help, experts are advising homeowners to be cautious when hiring restoration companies or independent contractors. Most businesses are legitimate but times of crisis make for an ideal situation for unscrupulous people to take advantage of those previously victimized by flooding.
“Research the company, find out if they have proper licensing, get three quotes,” says Sandra Crozier-McKee, Better Business Bureau. “There’s tons of business and a lot of work to be done so patience has to be a part of the approach right now."
Another important tip is to never ever pay upfront before the work is finished. Customers are not required to pay any legitimate company ahead of time.
To verify if a company is legitimate, homeowners can contact the Better Business Bureau or ask an insurance company to refer a reputable contractor.
With files from Kathy Le
