Rebuild Right
When a storm damages your home, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin and who you can trust. Unfortunately, disasters often attract unlicensed individuals looking to take advantage of residents during their greatest time of need.
Protect your home and your wallet by only working with licensed contractors. The State of Florida licenses contractors to make sure they have the experience and education they need to do the job correctly and safely.
Stay Alert After the Storm
Common Post-Storm Scams
Disaster Recovery Scams
After hurricanes and severe weather, individuals may go door-to-door offering quick repairs and urging you to act immediately. These situations often involve pressure to make fast decisions, requests for large upfront payments, and little or no proof of proper licensing or insurance.
Insurance / Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Scams
After property damage, a contractor may ask you to sign documents that give them control over your insurance claim. While it may seem convenient, this can lead to inflated costs, reduced oversight, and unexpected financial responsibility.
Large Payments / Disappearing Contractor
After a storm, some contractors may pressure homeowners to pay large upfront deposits before work begins. In some cases, the contractor may leave the area, delay repairs, or fail to complete the work — leaving homeowners with unfinished projects and costly setbacks.
These are just a few of the scams homeowners may encounter after a storm. Unlicensed individuals often use aggressive sales tactics, emotional appeals, and unrealistic promises to pressure homeowners into making quick decisions. The good news is that there are often clear indicators that someone may not be properly licensed. Learn how to spot red flags, recognize bad actors, and better protect yourself after a storm.
Disaster Recovery Contractors
Protect Your Home
To help Floridians recover and rebuild after a storm, the State of Florida developed the Disaster Contractors Network (DCN) — a resource that connects homeowners with licensed, trusted contractors who specialize in storm recovery and rebuilding.
The DCN website provides a list of contractors with the following specialties:
- General contracting*
- Roofing*
- Plumbing repairs*
- Electrical work*
- Air conditioning and heating*
- Flooring and interior repairs
- Mold-related services*
- Debris removal and more
*These construction trades require a state license.
Have You Encountered Unlicensed Activity?
If you suspect you’ve encountered or been taken advantage of by an unlicensed individual after a storm, you may be able to take action by filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). By taking action, you’re helping DBPR get bad actors off the street and protecting others from harm.