ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Repair work continues in our area after last week's severe storms. As more and more people need to hire contractors, the City of Rock Island is encouraging residents to do their homework before hiring anyone.
News 8 visited a repair site in Rock Island for a home that had a tree fall and shave off part of it. Midwest Complete Construction is doing the repair work. They have been a licensed contractor in Rock Island for over ten years.
"With the large tree here, the wind it drove down through the house," Midwest Complete Construction President Dave Griffin said. "We were just cleared enough to get temporary structures on and be able to get things watertight because there was rain in the forecast at the end of the week."
The City of Rock Island says that when you have damage to this extent, or really any damage at all, certify that contractors have a city license and pull permits before they begin work. The city also recommends not paying upfront.
"You can always check Better Business Bureau, the state licensing or with your local building officials because they'll know that that person is in our system, and they're a licensed, registered and bonded contractor," Griffin said.
In most severe weather situations, contractors are paid out through insurance companies, with the homeowner paying their deductible out of pocket.
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