Article
Construction fraud checklist for hurricane recovery
Five dos and don’ts to consider when recovering from a disaster
Oct. 14, 2024 · Authored by Anthony Ollmann, Derek W. Royster, James S. Miller, Heath Whitaker, Carly Dishong
With the Southeast dealing with the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, individuals and businesses are starting to pick up the pieces and begin recovery efforts. As such, Baker Tilly has created a dos and don’ts checklist to help you as you go through the recovery process.
Do
1. Contact your insurance company first before hiring any contractors for repairs
Understand your claim approval process, coverages, deductibles, payment procedures, etc. Ensure that you are involved in any insurance claims and be cautious of anyone filing an insurance claim on your behalf.
2. Verify a contractor’s identity
Whether a person states they are a construction worker, with a charity organization or from the government or local utility service, asking for identification may be a simple way to ward off any fraudsters. If they are a contractor, ask for their contractor’s license number. Most states require this, even for a simple handyman business.
3. Obtain a written contract defining scope work, cost, estimated completion and payment terms
This includes documenting any changes later agreed to. No matter how agreeable the contractor sounds or how urgent the work may be. Ensure that there are no blank spaces in the contract where terms can be added later without your knowledge.
4. Be present for the work
