Following the devastation of Hurricane Laura, scammers are looking to make a quick buck on storm repairs. State Licensing Board for Contractors spokesperson Brad Hassert recommends verifying someone is a licensed contractor before making a hire. That can be done online at lslbc.louisiana.gov.
“That information on there is live. It is up to the minute. We encourage everyone before they do any work to read their contract very thoroughly and verify all insurances are active and still in place,” said Hassert.
Hassert says it will mostly be unlicensed workers that will try to trick people out of money and one of the ways they do so is by asking for a large amount of payment upfront.
“I think it is for a contractor to ask for a small amount of earnest money, to mobilize equipment and to order supplies, etcetera. Any down payment greater than 20% would certainly come into question for me,” said Hassert.
Hassert says the way you pay is also important in documenting a paper trail of compensation.
“Never ever ever pay cash. Never pay checks to someone who is not on your contract. Let’s track down to where the money goes in case it does become problematic, we’ll be able to have some recourse with them possibly,” said Hassert.