BBB STORM VICTIM TIPS

Contractors must be registered with the Secretary of State in Georgia or the Department of Commerce & Insurance in Tennessee. Call 478-207-2440 for the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division in Georgia or in Tennessee 615-741-2241 or go online tohttp://www.sos.ga.gov/ for Georgia or http://www.tn.gov/commerce/ for Tennessee to check whether a contractor is registered.

Many counties require registration if sales people go do-to-door. Verify that they have to have a permit by contacting your local county government. BBB suggests consumers be pro-active in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches.

While most roofing contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.

Try to get at least three quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not an individual.

Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full or half payment up front.

Resist high-pressure sales tactics such as the "good deal" you will get only if you hire the contractor on the spot.

Get a written contract that specifies the price, the work to be done, the amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor, and a time frame. Require a copy of their current certificate of insurance.

Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there is a problem.

Check that the contractor's vehicle has signs or markings on it with the business name, phone number and Tennessee or Georgia state license plates.