What are storm chaser contractors, and why should I avoid them?

Storm chaser contractors are out-of-town contractors who follow severe weather events like hailstorms, ice storms, or windstorms into Ottawa and surrounding areas, going door-to-door offering immediate roof or siding repairs - and they're among the most dangerous scams targeting Ottawa homeowners.

These contractors typically arrive in Ottawa within days of major weather events like the devastating May 2022 derecho, the September 2018 tornadoes, or severe hailstorms that regularly hit areas like Kanata, Orleans, and Barrhaven. They drive around neighborhoods looking for visible damage, knock on doors, and pressure homeowners into signing contracts immediately.

Why Storm Chasers Are Dangerous in Ottawa

Storm chasers exploit the urgency homeowners feel after storm damage, but they create far more problems than they solve. They often lack proper Ontario licensing - they won't have valid WSIB clearance certificates, proper insurance, or be registered with the City of Ottawa for business licenses. When you check their credentials through ESA (esasafe.com) for electrical work or verify their WSIB status, you'll often find they're not properly licensed in Ontario.

These contractors typically demand large upfront payments, sometimes even offering to "help" with your insurance claim by inflating damage estimates. Once they have your money, the quality of work is usually substandard, and they disappear when problems arise. Since they're not local Ottawa businesses, you have no recourse when issues develop months later.

Red Flags to Watch For

Storm chasers often claim they're "working in your neighborhood today" and can offer special pricing if you sign immediately. They may have out-of-province license plates, generic company names, and no permanent Ottawa address. They frequently refuse to provide proper written estimates that comply with Ontario's Consumer Protection Act requirements, and they can't provide local Ottawa references.

What Ottawa Homeowners Should Do Instead

After storm damage, contact your insurance company first before any contractor. For legitimate repairs, use the City of Ottawa's building permit process (613-580-2424) to ensure work meets Ontario Building Code standards. Verify any contractor through ESA's contractor locator for electrical work, check WSIB clearance certificates, and ensure they're properly insured.

Get multiple quotes from established Ottawa-area contractors who can provide local references and have permanent business addresses. Legitimate contractors understand that storm damage repairs often require permits through ottawa.ca/building, especially for roofing or structural work.

Protection Under Ontario Law

Ontario's Consumer Protection Act gives you a 10-day cooling-off period for contracts signed at your home, and the Construction Lien Act requires proper holdback procedures. Storm chasers often ignore these protections, leaving you vulnerable.

If you've been approached by storm chasers, contact the City of Ottawa's licensing department and report suspicious door-to-door contractors to Ontario's consumer protection office at ontario.ca/consumer.

For storm damage repairs, work with established Ottawa contractors who understand local building codes, permit requirements, and will be here long-term to stand behind their work.