Why Joplin Tornado Victims Should Hire A Local Contractor

While clean up is going to take awhile, after an F-5 tornado wiped out nearly 8,000 buildings in Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011, once residents start to rebuild, they’ll need some help. Construction companies and contractors are going to start coming out of the rubble, if they haven’t already, offering low quotes and amazing service, but they aren’t all they appear to be.

How Traveling Contractors Woo You
You probably approach every meeting for your construction needs with the assumption that you’ll be able to distinguish the trustworthy companies from the swindlers. However, many people aren’t prepared for how good a traveling contractor presents himself. He’ll say things like “we’ve set up an office right here in Joplin” to make you believe the company’s around for the long haul; and they may even have a small travel trailer or RV based as an office – something that can be easily uprooted.

The big head turner, however, is when these fly-by-night contractors tell you they can complete your project cheaper than anyone else can. Let’s say you’re getting $45,000 from your homeowners insurance company to cover repairs to your home after the Joplin tornado. Scamming contractors will come in and tell you they can complete the project for $35,000 – and suddenly you’re envisioning a new jet ski too (or something more practical, such as paying off other debts).

They’re In It For The Money
The unfortunate truth, however, is that many of these out-of-town contractors are only in it for the money. Many times these construction companies will ask you for a down payment (often up to half of the project total or more) to start on the job. Truth is, if they need money up front to pay for the job, then the company isn’t very well established.

You’ll notice a lack of commitment once the project starts, such as arriving late, missing entire days of work, or claiming to have other projects to balance. Then, the unthinkable happens – you’ve paid the contractor over half of the project fees, the project is only a quarter of the way done, he hasn’t showed up for days and won’t return your calls.

You just got swindled. He took your money, and ran.

Why A Local Contractor Is Better
Admittedly, some out of town companies may, in fact, have the compassion, resources and expertise to legitimately help Joplin tornado victims rebuild, but once the project is over, they move on to the next job in the next town, and you’re left on your own if something comes up. With a local construction company, you’re able to build a relationship with the contractor. Trust becomes the foundation for your business dealings and you learn how to work together so future projects are completed more efficiently.

HA Construction, and other Joplin area construction companies and contractors, are focused on the community. They want to help those close to home because the impact of the Joplin tornado may directly affect them and those they care about. Even if these companies don’t know someone affected, something that happens so close to home really resonates on a personal level.
Adversely, fly-by-night contractors flock to locations devastated by natural disasters, such as Joplin, Missouri, looking to make an extra buck. Then they’re off and running to another project following a different tragedy. Additionally, even after the project is complete, trustworthy local contractors are there for you to answer questions, follow-up and make sure everything is to your expectations.

Don’t go with just anyone to help you rebuild your life after the devastation of the Joplin tornado, or any other home repair/renovation project. Know the important information to look for when choosing a contractor, like HA Construction, to ensure that you and your family are well taken care of.

HA Construction Is Available For Joplin Tornado Recovery Efforts

On May 22, 2011 an F-5 tornado that reached over ¾ of a mile wide (one of the deadliest in the history of the nation) ravished the town of Joplin, Missouri, leaving 142 (as of May 28th) lives lost and over a third of the town in utter ruin. As families work to literally rebuild their lives from the ground up, there will be many that come across their path to help. The outreach to the community has already been utterly overwhelming, but help is still needed and will be for months to come.

We’re Here to Help
HA Construction-Design of Nixa, Missouri is among the many businesses ready and willing to offer volunteer services to Joplin residents in need. More importantly, on a ministry level, HA Construction-Design would like to reach out to those that find themselves in over their heads with the need for repairs and rebuilding after this devastating tornado.

Andy Flint and his team are eager to do whatever is needed (from hauling off debris to securing windows and roofs) for those that may be falling through the cracks during the Joplin recovery efforts, such as the elderly, single mothers and handicapped individuals that just don’t have the means to do it all alone. What about people that didn’t have adequate insurance coverage to take care of the thousands of dollars in repair and rebuilding costs? HA Construction-Design is more than willing to help these individuals, too.

HA Construction-Design also wants to aid in the Joplin recovery process by teaming up with local churches and organizations as they arrange joint efforts with multiple businesses and volunteers.

How We’ll Make it Happen
Current and future clients might be wondering how HA Construction-Design plans to help with Joplin tornado recovery efforts and still be available to everyone else. It’s simply a matter of designating a day to help and shifting current project schedules a bit to accommodate that – and Andy has no doubt that HA Construction-Design's clients will be more than willing to share a little construction time with those in need.

Handling the extra workload in order to volunteer in Joplin is a process of communicating with subcontractors to make sure they are also willing, and able, to help. Additionally, Andy and Lisa realize that HA Construction-Design's employees still need to bring money home for their families and can’t necessarily afford to take a day off without pay, no matter how much they want to help – which is why HA Construction-Design is more than willing to pay its employees to help with Joplin recovery efforts.

In conclusion, Andy and Lisa Flint, the subcontractors and employees of HA Construction-Design are ready and willing to help with Joplin tornado recovery efforts and start the process for rebuilding lives. Contact Andy directly at (417) 224-2129 to see what HA Construction-Design can do to help you.