According to the Houston Chronicle, since Hurricane Harvey, over 400 formal complaints and lawsuits have been filed against dozens of contractors, and more are being filed each week. The unfortunate reality is that even in the aftermath of tragedy, there are bad people who will take advantage of distressed homeowners. Don’t get scared; get proactive. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), outlines best practices for hiring a contractor and common red flags. It is always important to exercise due diligence, seek referrals, and compare quotes. Be very weary of contractors who:
In addition, the FTC advises never to:
For more information on how to find and hire a contractor, read the full FTC guide. Additional resources for Hurricane Florence can be found on our Hurricane Florence Resources Page.
Related: What to Do For Uninsured, Flooded Rental Properties