Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has joined the long list of public officials warning Floridians about post-disaster scam artists, as thousands of residents have been displaced by Ian and may be seeking food, shelter, debris removal or home repairs.

Following a disaster like Hurricane Ian, qualified contractors are usually in high demand and become booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may flood in to take advantage of Floridians in need of expert service. If your roof was damaged during the storm,  follow these tips when hiring a roofing contractor:

  • Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under a policy;
  • Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs;
  • Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job;
  • Research a company and its reputation—look for references online, or ask a friend;
  • Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM;
  • Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency;
  • Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation;
  • Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who have not been paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will remain on the title;
  • Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront and hesitate before providing large deposits; and
  • Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.

Do you need a roof inspection?

Regardless as to whether your roof was damaged, you should always have your roof inspected after a major weather event.  Why? Because not all damage is visible to the naked eye.

If you need help with roof repair or roof replacement, or you’d like to schedule a free, no-cost roof inspection, we’re here to help. Call Kleinberger Corporation today to speak with a local customer care agent that you can trust.