Rebuilding after a Disaster

Hiring a contractor   

Take care in hiring a contractor.  After disasters hit an area, construction contractors known as “storm chasers” frequently show up and knock on doors offering to make repairs.  Avoid these kinds of high-pressured sales tactics.   

Protect yourself with these steps to choose a contractor, provided by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI):   

• Hire only contractors with a Minnesota state license: DLI License and Registration Lookup   
• Find out whether the contractor has complaints or enforcement actions against them: DLI Residential Building Contractor Complaints 
• Check with family, friends, neighbors and trusted resources about who they would recommend for contractors.  
• Ask contractors you are considering for references from other construction projects they have completed.  
• Do not sign any document until you’ve decided that’s the contractor you want to hire.  You do NOT need to sign a document in order for a contractor to give you an estimate or to allow the contractor to talk to your insurance company.   
• Before you sign a contract, make sure it includes a detailed list of work to be done, describes the materials to be used, and a total contract price.  

 Learn more about choosing a contractor from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: Hiring a contractor for storm repair.   

Problems or complaints about a contractor?   

Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s Construction Codes and Licensing’s Enforcement Services: Call 651-284-5069 or email DLI.Contractor@state.mn.us.