How to hire a storm cleanup service
Storm cleanup clears fallen trees, debris and damage after severe weather — the category with the highest concentration of out-of-area operators working door to door.
What the job usually involves
- Emergency tree and limb removal.
- Debris clearing and hauling.
- Temporary roof tarping.
- Board-up of broken windows and doors.
- Documentation of damage for an insurance claim.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- Are you local, and what is your business address?
- Can I see liability and workers compensation insurance?
- What is the price for the emergency work specifically, in writing?
- Am I signing a work authorisation or an assignment of insurance benefits?
- Will you photograph everything before you move it?
Warning signs
- Someone who arrived at your door uninvited after a storm.
- An offer to cover or waive your insurance deductible — that is fraud, and you become part of it.
- Any contract signed under pressure while the damage is still fresh.
- A large cash deposit before work.
- No local address, and a phone number that is an out-of-state mobile.
Common questions
What should I do first after storm damage?
Make sure the property is safe — treat downed power lines as live and stay away. Photograph and video everything before moving anything, because that documentation is your insurance claim. Do temporary work to prevent further damage and keep the receipts, then call your insurer before authorising permanent repairs.
Should I hire a contractor who knocks on my door after a storm?
Be very cautious. Legitimate local businesses exist, but storms draw operators who take deposits and leave. Ask for a local address, check it, verify insurance, and never sign anything the same day under pressure. A real contractor will still be there tomorrow.
Does insurance cover storm debris removal?
Often when a tree has damaged a covered structure, frequently not for clearing a tree that simply fell in the yard. Limits and terms vary considerably between policies — call your insurer rather than relying on what a contractor tells you they will cover.
How does Region Beacon work for storm cleanup companies?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a storm cleanup service's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from storm cleanup services near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.