LEE COUNTY, Fla (WFTX) — Several law enforcement agencies in Southwest Florida are encouraging residents to be vigilant about who they hire to repair damage from Hurricane Milton.
In a post on the Lee County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, they offer a few tips to keep in mind before you decide which contractor to hire:
- If the price is too good to be true, proceed with caution
- If the contractor tells you that you don't need a permit, proceed with caution
- Ask to see their license
- Never pay the full amount up front to an unlicensed contractor who may promise you a better deal if you pay up front in full
The Fort Myers Police Department posted contractor red flags as well:
- Missing license information
- Extremely low prices
- Using a P.O. Box instead of a street address
- Requests for large upfront payments
- Unmarked vehicles with out-of-state tags
- Trying to avoid pulling a permit
- Won't provide a written agreement
The department says residents can verify that their contractors are properly licensed hereon the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's website.
