BBB Warns Western Washington Homeowners About Storm Chasers After Wind Damage

Key Points

• The Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners in Western Washington to be cautious of contractors who arrive after severe weather seeking repair work.
• The warning follows several rounds of wet and windy weather across the region, including a windstorm that brought down trees and power lines and damaged properties.
• BBB representative Cameron Nakashima said some “storm chasers” may be unlicensed, uninsured or unable to complete promised repairs.
• BBB data cited by Nakashima shows Washington consumers submitted 106 contractor scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker over the past 12 months.
• Those reports involved more than $1.3 million in reported losses, while another $2 million in attempted losses was reported.
• Some consumers reported signing over insurance cheques worth thousands of dollars but not receiving the work they expected.
• Reported losses commonly ranged from $10,000 to $40,000, with some cases exceeding $100,000.
• Homeowners are being urged to document storm damage, understand their insurance coverage and speak with their insurer before committing to repair work.
• BBB recommends checking contractors’ licences, insurance, reviews, complaint histories and local references.
• Homeowners should obtain at least three written estimates where possible and ensure the scope, cost and timeline of work are recorded before repairs begin.

Evening Washington News (EW)The Better Business Bureau has warned homeowners across Western Washington to exercise caution when approached by contractors offering storm-related repairs following recent wet and windy weather. The warning centres on so-called “storm chasers”, contractors who move into areas after severe weather in search of repair work. While BBB representative Cameron Nakashima stressed that not every contractor operating in this way is dishonest, he said some may lack proper licensing or insurance, take large deposits and fail to complete promised work.

Seattle (Evening Washington) October 5, 2026 – Homeowners in Western Washington are being urged to take extra care when arranging repairs after a series of wet and windy weather events affected parts of the region. A recent windstorm brought down trees and power lines and caused property damage, creating an immediate need for repairs and increasing opportunities for contractors seeking new business.

The Better Business Bureau’s warning comes as affected homeowners may face pressure to arrange roof, structural, tree-related or other property repairs quickly. BBB representative Cameron Nakashima said the organisation uses the term “storm chaser” for contractors who travel into areas following severe weather to seek repair work.

Nakashima’s warning does not characterise every storm-related contractor as fraudulent. Instead, the concern is that severe weather can create circumstances in which consumers make rapid financial decisions while dealing with damaged homes and uncertainty about insurance coverage.

Why Is the Better Business Bureau Warning Homeowners About Storm Chasers?

According to Cameron Nakashima of the Better Business Bureau, some contractors who appear after severe weather may not have the appropriate credentials or financial protections required to carry out repair work.

Nakashima said some may be unlicensed or uninsured. In other cases, contractors may collect a deposit and then disappear without completing the promised work.

The BBB also encounters situations in which homeowners are pressured into repairs they may not need or work that the contractor is not properly equipped to complete.

The distinction is important because the term “storm chaser” does not automatically mean a contractor is dishonest. Contractors can legitimately travel to areas where demand for repair services rises after a storm. The BBB’s concern is instead focused on consumers being able to establish whether a particular contractor is properly qualified, insured and identifiable before signing a contract or making a payment.

For homeowners already dealing with property damage, the timing can make those checks particularly important. A damaged roof, broken windows, fallen trees or other storm-related problems can create an understandable desire to begin repairs immediately.

How Much Money Have Washington Consumers Lost in Contractor Scams?

The financial figures cited by the BBB underline the potential scale of contractor-related losses.

Nakashima said Washington consumers submitted 106 contractor scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker during the previous 12 months, with more than $1.3 million in reported losses.

A further $2 million in attempted losses was also reported.

These figures cover reports submitted by consumers and therefore do not necessarily represent every contractor dispute or attempted scam in Washington. Nevertheless, the numbers demonstrate the financial exposure that can arise when homeowners engage contractors without adequately checking their credentials and business information.

According to Nakashima, some consumers reported signing over insurance cheques worth several thousand dollars and subsequently not receiving the work they expected.

The BBB has also seen cases in which homeowners paid contractors directly using money from their personal savings.

Nakashima said reported losses commonly fall between $10,000 and $40,000, while some individual reports have exceeded $100,000.

Such amounts can represent a substantial financial burden for homeowners, particularly when the original property damage still requires repair after money has already been paid to a contractor.

What Warning Signs Should Homeowners Look For?

The BBB is advising homeowners to pay close attention to how a contractor approaches them and what information the contractor can provide.

Nakashima said homeowners should be particularly cautious when a contractor approaches them after a storm and uses high-pressure sales methods.

An immediate demand for a signature is one warning sign. Homeowners may also need to be cautious when contractors encourage them to make decisions before they have had an opportunity to review the proposed work, compare prices or discuss the damage with their insurer.

Another potential warning sign is missing or unclear credentials.

The BBB recommends checking whether a contractor can provide evidence of a valid licence and appropriate insurance. Homeowners should also be able to obtain local references and clear information about the business.

A contractor who cannot clearly explain who operates the business, where it is based, what licences it holds or what insurance coverage it maintains may warrant additional scrutiny before any agreement is signed.

The same principle applies to payment arrangements. Nakashima urged homeowners to be wary of large upfront payments and contractors who ask customers to sign over insurance cheques in order to begin work.

Why Should Homeowners Contact Their Insurance Company First?

The BBB recommends that homeowners begin the repair process by documenting the damage and contacting their insurance company.

This approach can help property owners understand what their policy covers before they agree to repairs proposed by a contractor.

Insurance coverage can vary according to the circumstances of the damage and the terms of an individual policy. As a result, homeowners may benefit from establishing what repairs are covered and what documentation their insurer requires before entering into a contract.

According to Nakashima, insurance companies may also recommend contractors they prefer and trust.

That does not remove the need for homeowners to understand the proposed work and review the terms of any agreement, but it can provide an additional source of information when consumers are trying to identify suitable repair businesses.

Documenting damage before repairs begin is also important. Photographs and other records can help establish the condition of the property following the storm and provide useful information during discussions with an insurer and contractor.

How Can Homeowners Check a Contractor Before Hiring Them?

The BBB recommends researching and comparing contractors before work begins.

Nakashima encouraged homeowners to verify licensing and insurance and to examine a contractor’s reputation through reviews and complaint information available through BBB.org.

Checking references can provide another way of establishing whether a business has completed similar work for other customers.

The BBB also recommends obtaining multiple written estimates. Where possible, homeowners should seek estimates from three or more different businesses.

Comparing several estimates can give homeowners a clearer understanding of the proposed cost and the differences between contractors’ recommendations.

Price alone, however, is not the only factor that should be considered. Homeowners also need to establish what work is included, when the work is expected to begin and finish, what materials are proposed and how payments will be handled.

A written estimate can make those differences easier to identify before a homeowner makes a commitment.

What Should Be Included in a Written Repair Agreement?

Before any work starts, homeowners should ensure that the terms of the project are recorded in writing.

The BBB’s advice is that the agreement should clearly set out the scope of work, timeline and cost.

A detailed written agreement can help both parties understand what has been agreed. It can also reduce uncertainty if questions later arise about whether particular repairs were included in the original arrangement.

Homeowners should avoid relying solely on verbal promises, particularly when dealing with substantial repair projects.

The cost and payment schedule should be clear. The description of the work should also be sufficiently specific to establish what the contractor has agreed to undertake.

The timeline should explain when work is expected to begin and, where possible, when it is expected to be completed.

These measures are particularly relevant following severe weather because demand for contractors can increase rapidly. A homeowner who feels pressure to accept the first offer may have less opportunity to compare businesses and understand the proposed terms.

What Does the BBB Advice Mean for Homeowners Facing Immediate Storm Damage?

The BBB’s warning does not suggest that homeowners should delay necessary repairs indefinitely. Instead, it encourages property owners to combine urgency with verification.

Some damage may require prompt action to prevent further deterioration. However, the need for urgent repairs does not necessarily mean homeowners should immediately sign an agreement with the first contractor who arrives at their property.

Homeowners can begin by documenting the damage, contacting their insurer and determining what their policy covers. They can then investigate contractors, verify credentials and obtain written estimates where circumstances allow.

This process may be more difficult when a property has suffered significant damage or when many residents in the same area are simultaneously seeking contractors. Nevertheless, the BBB’s advice is intended to reduce the risk of homeowners making high-value decisions without sufficient information.

How Do Contractor Scam Risks Increase After Severe Weather?

Storms can create an unusual combination of urgency and high demand.

Large numbers of properties may require repairs at the same time, while homeowners may be unfamiliar with the specialist work needed to restore damaged buildings. Contractors who operate legitimately can therefore see increased demand, but the same circumstances can also attract individuals seeking to exploit consumers.

According to the BBB information provided for this report, some Washington consumers have reported significant losses involving contractor work, including cases involving insurance payments.

The organisation’s warning focuses on basic verification steps: checking licensing and insurance, examining business reputation, seeking references, comparing estimates and putting the agreement in writing.

These measures can be applied regardless of whether a contractor contacted the homeowner directly or was found through another source.

What Is the Background to the BBB’s Storm-Chaser Warning?

The latest warning follows several rounds of wet and windy weather in Western Washington, including a windstorm that caused trees and power lines to fall and resulted in property damage in parts of the region.

The Better Business Bureau describes “storm chasers” as contractors who move into areas following severe weather in search of repair work. The term itself does not establish that a contractor is fraudulent.

The concern arises when contractors operate without appropriate licensing or insurance, demand large upfront payments, pressure homeowners into immediate decisions or fail to deliver the repairs for which they have been paid.

The BBB’s Washington data cited by Nakashima records 106 contractor scam reports over the previous 12 months, with more than $1.3 million in reported losses and a further $2 million in attempted losses.

The cases described by Nakashima include consumers who handed over insurance cheques and did not receive the expected work, as well as homeowners who paid contractors directly from their savings. Reported losses have commonly been between $10,000 and $40,000, with some reports exceeding $100,000.

How Could the Warning Affect Western Washington Homeowners?

The immediate effect of the BBB warning is likely to be greater attention to contractor verification among homeowners dealing with storm damage.

For affected property owners, the most important practical steps identified by the BBB are to document damage, consult the insurance company, verify a contractor’s licence and insurance, investigate reputation and complaint history, seek references, obtain multiple written estimates and establish the scope, cost and timeline of the work in writing.

These measures do not guarantee that a contractor will perform satisfactorily, but they can give homeowners more information before committing substantial sums of money.

For homeowners facing repair bills following the recent weather, the warning also highlights the financial consequences that can follow from signing over insurance payments or making large upfront payments without sufficient checks.