Price Gauging Threatens Locals Making Repairs to Florida Homes After Katrina
After last year´s hurricanes, nearly 9,000 complaints were filed with Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist. Their complaints ranged from "contractors walking off with their money" and not even starting the repairs promised or leaving Florida homes in worse shape than they found them to "price gauging by gas stations, hotels, tree removal companies and other businesses."
Now, with the passage of Katrina, hundreds of Florida homes will need major repairs, and homeowners should know how to protect themselves.
Charlie Crist warns "residents to be wary of workers who charge too much or too little" for work done on Florida homes. "Some businesses could be illegally inflating prices; others could be charging less because they have no plans to complete the work after receiving a hefty down payment."
Michael Corzo, a Palm Beach Sheriff´s Investigator, suggests that accepting the cheapest offer for repairs on Florida homes may not always be wise. "He says a licensed, reputable contractor has added costs in his estimates, such as workers´ compensation insurance."
Now, with the passage of Katrina, hundreds of Florida homes will need major repairs, and homeowners should know how to protect themselves.
Charlie Crist warns "residents to be wary of workers who charge too much or too little" for work done on Florida homes. "Some businesses could be illegally inflating prices; others could be charging less because they have no plans to complete the work after receiving a hefty down payment."
Michael Corzo, a Palm Beach Sheriff´s Investigator, suggests that accepting the cheapest offer for repairs on Florida homes may not always be wise. "He says a licensed, reputable contractor has added costs in his estimates, such as workers´ compensation insurance."
