Emergency Repair Protocol

Step 1: Stop the Damage / Make Safe

Your first priority is safety, not finding a contractor.

• Water leak: Shut off the main water valve. If you cannot find it, call your water utility's emergency line.
• Gas smell: Leave the building immediately. Do not flip any switches. Call 911 or your gas company from outside.
• Electrical hazard: Do not touch anything wet near wiring. Flip the main breaker if you can safely reach it. Call 911 if there is active arcing or fire.
• Roof damage / storm: If water is entering, place buckets and move valuables. Do not go on the roof. Cover openings with tarps if safe to do so from inside or ground level.
• Structural concern: If you see cracks widening, sagging floors, or leaning walls, evacuate and call 911.

Step 2: Document Everything

Before anyone touches anything, create a record. This protects your insurance claim and any future dispute.

• Photos: Take wide-angle and close-up photos of all damage. Include timestamps (your phone does this automatically).
• Video: A 30-second walkthrough video with narration ("This is the kitchen ceiling, water is coming from above the light fixture").
• Date and time: Write down when you first noticed the problem.
• Insurance: Call your insurance company and open a claim before any repair work begins. Get a claim number.
• Receipts: Keep receipts for any emergency supplies (tarps, buckets, fans, temporary repairs).

Step 3: What to Ask a Contractor in 60 Seconds

When you call a contractor for emergency work, ask these questions before agreeing to anything:

1. "Are you licensed in this state?" — Get the license number. Verify it later at your state licensing board website.
2. "Do you carry general liability and workers' comp insurance?" — Ask them to send a certificate of insurance (COI) before work starts.
3. "What is your hourly rate or flat fee for emergency service?" — Get the price in writing (text or email counts) before work begins.
4. "Will you provide a written scope of what you're doing today?" — Even a text message listing the work is better than nothing.
5. "Can you provide references from recent emergency jobs?" — A legitimate emergency contractor will have these.

Red flags: Refuses to give a license number. Demands cash payment upfront. Won't provide any written scope. Pressures you to sign a contract "right now or I leave." Shows up without a company vehicle or identification.

Step 4: After the Emergency

Once the immediate danger is resolved:

• Get at least two written estimates for permanent repair work. Emergency patching and permanent repair are separate scopes.
• Verify the contractor before signing a long-term repair contract. Use the 60-second verification checklist.
• Do not sign a full repair contract under pressure. A legitimate contractor will give you time to evaluate.
• File your insurance claim with the documentation from Step 2. Your insurer may have preferred contractors — you are generally not required to use them, but ask.
• Keep all invoices and documentation for the emergency work and any follow-up repairs.