How do you find a contractor you can actually trust after a disaster?
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO7 min read
The short answer
If you already identified and vetted a contractor before the disaster, reach out to them now, let them know you have damage, and confirm you’ll be filing an insurance claim. If you don’t have one yet, use a verified source like BuildSOS’s Contractor Finder rather than whoever knocks on your door first. Always confirm a contractor is licensed and insured before you sign anything, and know the 5 questions worth asking every contractor before you commit.
Why the source matters more than the sales pitch
After a disaster, homeowners are approached constantly, and not all of it is legitimate. The contractors worth working with rarely need to go door to door. Starting from a verified source, rather than whoever shows up first, is the single biggest thing that separates a good outcome from a costly one.
What “BuildSOS Verified” actually means
Not every contractor claiming to be “verified” has actually been checked. BuildSOS verification works on three tiers, each one a step up in what’s been confirmed:
- Silver. An active contractor’s license in their state, current general liability insurance, and at least one permit pulled in the last 6 months. Verified directly against licensing records, not just self-reported.
- Gold. Everything in Silver, plus completion of a 15-mission training curriculum covering insurance advocacy, documentation, and disaster-specific building practices, confirmed through a comprehensive certification review.
- Platinum. Everything in Gold, plus a third-party background and quality check, the most rigorous vetting tier available.
When you see a BuildSOS Verified badge on a contractor’s profile, it reflects one of these three confirmed tiers, not just a contractor’s own claim about themselves.
Five questions to ask before you sign anything
- Can I see your license and insurance directly, not just hear about them? A legitimate contractor can produce both immediately.
- Are you licensed in this state, and is that license current? Don’t just accept “yes,” ask to see it or look it up yourself.
- What’s your payment schedule, and why? A payment schedule tied to project milestones is normal. A demand for most or all of the money upfront is not.
- Can I get a detailed, written estimate, not a verbal number? Reluctance to provide an itemized, written quote is a warning sign, not a formality being skipped.
- Will you be asking me to sign an Assignment of Benefits? If the answer is yes, read “What’s an Assignment of Benefits, and should I sign one?” in the FAQ below before you sign anything.
Finding and connecting with a contractor, step by step
- Check if you already have someone identified. If you vetted a contractor before the disaster, reach out to them directly through your BuildSOS profile.
- If you don’t, start from a verified source. BuildSOS verified contractor search, Find a Contractor, is launching soon. Until it opens, look the contractor up on your state licensing board’s website and ask for a certificate of insurance before you talk about the job.
- Confirm licensing and insurance before anything else, using the questions above.
- Let them know your situation. Tell them you have damage, you’ll be filing an insurance claim, and ask about their timeline for getting you on the schedule.
- Get everything in writing. A verbal agreement isn’t enough, especially in a recovery situation where memory and paperwork both matter later.
Frequently asked
What if the contractor I had planned to use isn’t available?
Go back to a verified source rather than accepting the first offer from someone who approaches you directly. Availability pressure is exactly what fraudulent contractors rely on.
Should I get multiple quotes?
Yes, where your timeline allows it. Comparing quotes helps you spot pricing that’s out of line, in either direction, unusually low bids can mean cut corners or a disappearing contractor just as easily as unusually high ones mean overcharging.
What’s an Assignment of Benefits, and should I sign one?
It’s a document that transfers your right to negotiate and receive payment from your insurance claim directly to the contractor. Some legitimate contractors use them appropriately, but they’ve also been widely misused to take control of a homeowner’s claim. Don’t sign one until you’ve read it fully and understand exactly what you’re giving up. If you’re unsure, don’t sign it that day.
How is this different from protecting myself from fraud generally?
This page is about finding the right contractor in the first place. The fraud protection guide covers the broader red flags and scams to watch for once contractors start reaching out to you, including ones beyond just the contractor selection decision.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy