ILLINOIS (RFD) — As Illinois residents prepare to deal with the aftermath of the latest round of flooding, the Better Business Bureau is urging them to do their homework before hiring a contractor as the water falls. The time period immediately following a major weather event is when the most people fall prey to scams according to BBB spokesman Don O’Brien.

He says one of the first thing you should do when hiring a contractor is to seek three bids.

O’Brien also says that an estimate that is substantially lower could also be a red flag and he recommends that you always make sure that a contractor has a local office before hiring them. The BBB also recommends that you make sure to get a copy of the agreement in writing before work begins, and to never pay the full amount up front. The suggestion is to pay a third at the start of the job, a third in the middle, and a third once it has been completed to your satisfaction.