Residents Beware of Contractor Scams in Hurricane Milton's Aftermath News General After a disaster, qualified contractors are usually in high demand, and with Hurricanes Helene[...]

After a disaster, qualified contractors are usually in high demand, and with Hurricanes Helene and Milton impacting Florida back to back, many areas have incurred severe property damage. The City of Tampa wants to remind residents of scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers who may take advantage of Floridians in need of expert service.

If you have been approached to have work done on or at your home, you can check if that individual is licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or by going to myfloridalicense.com .

If property is damaged from the storm, the Florida Attorney General's Office offers these tips when hiring a contractor:

• Insurance evaluation - Ensure repair work will be covered under your insurance policy. Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs
• Estimates - Obtain at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs
• Bogus offers - Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job
• Do your research - To check on a company's reputation, look for references online or ask a friend. Also check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured, and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation or by calling the Florida Attorney General's Office at (866) 9NO-SCAM.
• Bonded - Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency
• Read the fine print - Although it may be daunting, read the entire contract before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer's right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation.
• Liens - 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.
• Deposits and final payment - Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront and be wary before providing large deposits. Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.

In addition, Florida's Disaster Contractors Network (DCN) has been activated to support homeowners who may need help with emergency home repairs. DCN is a free resource founded by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) designed to connect homeowners with licensed contractors and suppliers to perform emergency repairs.

• How it works: Once homeowners have accessed their repair needs, they can log onto DCNOnline.org and search by county for a list of Florida-licensed contractors in their local community who are providing these services.