Many Crisp County citizens are searching for professionals to help with home repairs after Hurricane Michael hit the area in just the past week.
Please don’t be taken for a ride by so-called “fly by night” businesses and scammers that often come out of the woodwork after a storm!
Crisp County is requiring all contractors who are not licensed to report to the Government Center with documentation of their current license.
Contractors and others looking to do business in Crisp County following the storm should have either a Crisp County or City of Cordele Business License or regulatory permit in their possession. If they cannot produce any of these documents, please have them contact the Crisp County Finance Department, 210 South 7th Street, Suite 309, Cordele, Ga. for information on how to obtain the proper licenses before allowing them to work on your property.
Sec. 58-301. - Business registration required for businesses operating in Crisp County, Georgia; occupation tax required for business dealings in Crisp County.
(a) For the year 2006 and succeeding years thereafter, each person engaged in any business, trade, profession or occupation in the unincorporated areas of Crisp County Georgia, whether with a location in the unincorporated areas of the county or in the case of an out-of-state business with no location in Georgia exerting substantial efforts within the state pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 48-13-7, shall register and, if applicable pay an occupation tax and administrative fee for such business, trade, profession or occupation and shall receive a county license, which county license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the place of business, if the taxpayer has a permanent business location in the county. If the taxpayer has no permanent business location in the county, such county license shall be shown to the Crisp County Finance Director or to any Crisp County Sheriff's Officer or their respective designees upon request.
The BBB offers the following tips for selecting a roofing contractor:
- Check with your insurance company about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts, if temporary roofing repairs are necessary.
- Although you may be anxious to get things back to normal, avoid letting your emotions get the better of you. Don't be pressured into making an immediate decision with a long-term impact. Be proactive in selecting a business and not reactive to sales solicitations.
- For major repairs, take time to shop around and get 3-4 estimates based on the same specifications and materials. Check out references that are at least one year old, verify with your local government to find out whether or not businesses are required to be licensed/registered to do work in your area, and check with your local building inspector to see if a building permit is required.
- Be wary of door-to-door workers who claim to have leftover materials from a job “down the street” or who do not have a permanent place of business. If salespeople go door-to-door, check to see if your community requires them to have solicitation permits.
- Be leery if a worker shows up on your doorstep to announce that your home is unsafe. If you are concerned about possible structural damage in your home, have an engineer, architect or building official inspect it. While most roofing contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know inspect your roof. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.
- Require a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. Be sure their name, address, license number, if applicable, and phone number are included in the contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety, and don’t sign a blank contract. A copy of the signed contract is to be given to you at time of signature.
Source: https://www.bbb.org/