Across the Houston Gulf Coast Region each year, many people become victims of floods and hurricanes. These natural disasters impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and the US economy for billions of dollars annually.
One of the untold costs associated with disasters are those losses due to fraud. Often fly by night contractors appear and further victimize the disaster victims by swindling them out of the precious and often limited resources. Here is a warning from J.B. Contractors & Development, LLC that may save you from another disaster: unscrupulous contractors.
CONSUMER CHECKLIST
If you are a victim of Hurricane Ike, do not become a victim again from another disaster, an unscrupulous contractor.
Some signs to remember that should make you see red:
You are told that on this job, a contract will not be necessary
You are asked to pay for the entire job up front-or pay cash to a salesperson instead of a check or money order to a company
You are confronted with scare tactics, intimidation or threats
You are told you have been chosen as a demonstration project at a special, low price
You are told a special low price is good only if you sign a contract today
The contractor will not give you a reference, or references cannot be located
You cannot verify the contractors business address
Builders or remodelers (roofers excluded) are registered, as required by state law, with the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC). Registered builders and remodelers have a TRCC-issued registration certificate and/or wallet card to verify proof of registration. To be registered, builders and remodelers must undergo a background check and provide minimum warranties of their work.
Homeowners can check registration status of builder and remodelers though the TRCCs online searchable database at www.texasrcc.org or by calling 1-877-651-TRCC.
We know it is a difficult time and there is so much work to be done that everyone must wait longer than they would like, but it is better to be patient and get the job done right and for a fair price than rush into a situation where you may lose hundreds or thousands of dollars and still have our home repaired correctly or at all.
TRCC# 22404
- Location: Houston Gulf Coast Region
- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests