Many folk that we speak to here, prefer people who work on their homes to be locals. Because they know that they will be easy to contact, and can arrive soon if a storm subsequently damages their work. Every time Calgary experiences severe hail, contractors arrive from out of nowhere because they expect the pickings will be rich. You need to know how to spot these storm chasers, because they know how to pile on the pressure.
How Storm Chasers Pile on the Pressure in Calgary
The Give-Away Signs You Are Dealing With Strangers
- Storm chasers are weather experts, and can predict the duration of a severe storm. They arrive in Calgary in the immediate aftermath, when local contractors are still assessing their own damage. Their opening gambit is often ‘we’re working in your neighbourhood’, as if that implies you can trust them.
- Another way to spot a storm chaser, is when they try to convince you that you need emergency repairs right away. Hail and wind damage seldom cause severe leaks inside buildings, because there should be waterproofing behind siding, and a broken gutter is mostly just an inconvenience.
- Doing you a free favour first is part of the-stock-in-trade of many of these confidence tricksters, because this places you, their target, under an obligation. Storm chasers often apply this exchange theory by doing a quick repair. When they do, remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch and they will be back for more.
- An experienced out-of-towner may want to put up their sign before you have agreed their terms and conditions. This trick does more than cement your sense of obligation. You are affirming the quality of their work to your neighbours, whether you like it or not.
Other Ways to Avoid Doing Business With Storm Chasers
You can easily spot a storm chaser by their dubious business methods. They know you are under stress, and they will ask you to sign a firm contact at your first meeting, which is unethical. Another trick is to offer to refund your insurance deductible, which naturally they build into their price.
There is a subtle something about Calgary folk that makes us a community. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but it often helps us spot someone from out of town. Ask a storm chaser a question that needs local knowledge, and they will often flounder.
Valiant Exteriors does not need to attempt any of these stunts, and we never do. Our office has been in Calgary since we started out in 2007. We are local people, and we employ local people who understand local conditions too.
We hope you never have to live through severe storm damage. But if you do, please reach out to us in Calgary and we will help.
More Information
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