ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – As residents deal with the aftermath of a suspected tornado that touched down near two St. Johns County subdivisions Thursday shortly before noon, officials want to warn residents of contractor scams.
A suspected tornado left behind a trail of damage in the TrailMark and Samara Lakes neighborhoods, including downed trees, snapped street signs and mangled fences.
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Following a natural disaster, qualified property repair contractors are in high demand – making conditions ideal for contractor scams, officials said.
For that reason, St. Johns County is urging residents to protect themselves from these scams by following these tips:
- Contact your insurance company before signing any contracts.
- Be wary of anyone who approaches you unsolicited or says they can perform your repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job.
- Get multiple estimates.
- Verify the contractor has a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or by visiting www.sjcfl.us/departments/contractor-licensing.
- Research the company and its reputation – ask for references. Contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-966-7226 to see if there are complaints against a company or contractor.
- Check for proof of insurance and/or bonding and verify that its policy is current.
- Never pay the full amount of a repair up front and give consideration before providing large deposits.
- Ensure all the proper permits have been obtained prior to starting repairs. For questions on whether a repair requires a permit, call the St. Johns County Building Department at 904-827-6800.
- Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing and ensure that the contract includes the required “buyer’s right to cancel” (usually within three days) language
- 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. Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments.
- Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until you are satisfied with the work performed.
AFTERMATH GALLERY | Photos show tornado damage to several homes in St. Johns County
St. Johns County damage assessment teams will be in the area Friday.
For any questions, please call the St. Johns County Building Department at 904-827-6800 or St. Johns County Emergency Management at 904-824-5550.