Phony Contractors Reported In Sumner County
Release Date: April 14, 2006
Release Number: 1634-015
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms and Tornadoes
JACKSON, TENN. -- State and local law enforcement officials report that individuals claiming to be "FEMA-certified" or "FEMA-approved" contractors are approaching property owners around Gallatin in Sumner County, offering to repair tornado and storm damage.
"While the state of Tennessee does license contractors," says Louis Friedmann, the deputy state coordinating officer for the recent tornadoes, "neither the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), nor the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certifies, recommends, or approves contractors to do disaster recovery work for individual property owners."
Friedmann's federal counterpart, Michael Karl, echoes that warning. "Any contractor who says FEMA or TEMA sent him to your door is lying," says Karl, "and that's not the person you want to trust with your money - or your home."
Disaster officials recommend that property owners use the same caution in contracting repair work that they would use for any other home repair. Deal with state-licensed contractors who have a sound business reputation in the community; get at least two bids and a written contract, and never pay for the entire job up front.
For further information on hiring a contractor, check the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board of Licensing Contractors' website.
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Apr-2006 07:56:40