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As water wanes, contractors will get busy

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Flooding photos

Severe storms and flooding have caused problems locally and statewide. If you have been affected, we want your photos. Send us your photo.

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JANESVILLE — The Rock River's floodwaters are receding, and local contractors are ready to pour in to help area business and homeowners.

But the contractors' appearances likely will come in waves as water levels go down, property access improves and damage inspections determine what needs to be done and what funds are available to pay for it.

Richter Electric in Janesville has dispatched a few employees to work on flood-related electrical issues, Randy Richter said.

Employees helped power up a generator on Main Street in Janesville when an Alliant Energy transformer became submerged. Down the block, they've worked to restore electricity in the Hayes Block.

"Most of the work is still coming up," Richter said. "It will take some time, as the insurance people have to come in and everything has to be cleaned up."

Any electrical equipment that has been in contact with floodwater must be replaced. That includes wiring and equipment such as electrical panels, fuse boxes, circuit breakers and meter sockets.

It also includes appliances such as furnaces, hot water tanks, washers, dryers and freezers and equipment such as computers, stereos and television sets.

Before electricity can be restored to a building, the electrical system must be inspected. An electrical permit is required for most repairs or replacements.

"A lot of people are saying they want their power back on right now, but it's not that easy," said Richter, whose workers have been laboring in knee-high boots in downtown Janesville.

"The city inspectors are involved and so is the power company and the insurance adjusters."

While Richter expects an upswing in his business, he predicts that homeowners with flood damage will be a lower priority than businesses.

Before any new work can be done, the damaged areas must be demolished or cleaned up. That can involve drywall, insulation and possibly stud replacement.

"Everyone wants me to start tomorrow, but I can't start tomorrow," said Leon Estep, manager of ServiceMaster of Rock County, which specializes in the cleanup of water damage.

"I can't start until the water almost leaves the property."

Estep said Monday he had a list of 19 properties to clean and dry.

"It all has to be cleaned up and dried out really well with fans," he said. "You can't put drywall on wet studs. It just won't work."

Tom Stapelmann, owner of Tom's Drywall & Plasterboard Construction Co. in Janesville, said the flooding won't boost his business for another couple of weeks.

"It's a little early right now," he said. "It will take a little while for people to assess damage and decide what needs to be done.

"If it's really bad, they'll have to replace electrical, studs, insulation and drywall."

Stapelmann said he's been dealing with water issues of a different sort. Ice dams from last winter's onslaught and early spring rains forced water under shingles and down walls that now need new drywall.

The South Central Wisconsin Builders Association expects local contractors will be busy as the floodwaters recede. It is urging affected property owners to hire licensed, professional contractors.

"Our members throughout the state share a bond with our friends and neighbors whose homes have been damaged by the recent flooding," said SCWBA President Tom Wellnitz of Wellnitz & Sarow Builders. "As we come together to repair our homes and businesses, we need to work together to ensure that our communities are not victimized by fraudulent 'fly-by-night' contractors."

RED FLAGS AND TIPS

Find a natural disaster, and fraud won’t be far behind.

The South Central Wisconsin Builders Association is urging people affected by flooding to be aware of common tactics that might be the calling card of an unscrupulous contractor:

-- You’re told that on this job, a contract “won’t be necessary.”

-- You’re asked to pay for the entire job up front or pay cash to a salesperson instead of a check or money order to a company.

-- You are confronted with scare tactics, intimidation or threats.

-- You’re told you’ve been “chosen” as a demonstration project at a special, low price.

-- You’re told a “special,” low price is good only if you sign a contract today.

-- The contractor won’t give you references or the references can’t be located.

-- You can’t verify the contractor’s business address.

SCWBA suggests keeping this advice in mind if you need to hire a contractor to perform repairs:

-- Ask the contractor to present their Dwelling Contractor Certification and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification cards provided by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Those are required to pull building permits in Wisconsin.

-- Research how long the contractor has been in business.

-- Contact the Better Business Bureau and see if the business has a record of unresolved complaints.

-- Make sure you get a complete, clearly written contract for any work to be done. Do not rely on verbal agreements. All changes to the job should be put in writing before they occur.

-- Do not pay any cash up front unless you have signed a valid contract.

For more information on SCWBA and its members, visit www.scwbaonline.com.