- Regina Morrison Newman is the Shelby County Trustee.
Given the problems remaining guiding by the ice storm that strike Shelby County earlier this month, this subject is particularly timely.
So quite a few folks are dealing with harm to their households from the ice storm – trees falling on their households, frozen pipes bursting and creating h2o injury, even fires induced by power surges as MLGW acquired power turned again on. Based on the amount and variety of destruction, individuals are determined to get it repaired. Enter the unscrupulous “home repair” individuals.
Several situations we get to out to friends and family for suggestions. Most of the trustworthy individuals are booked for weeks if not months, especially just after a weather party like we had. However, that leaves the fly-by-evening house repair scammers driving neighborhoods searching for homes with damage and offering their companies. They guarantee to be offered instantly and to do the work for much less money than the types you would have to hold out months for. Really do not be fooled.
Some will inquire for dollars up front for “supplies” and vanish. They may perhaps give you a handwritten “contract” with dubious language that is open up to interpretation about the quantity essentially owed. Our seniors appear to be favourite targets of these folks.
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In accordance to the Far better Business Bureau, in 2021, 22 “household advancement” ripoffs had been described to our fraud-tracker by Shelby County consumers for a loss of $74,317.56. All of these losses had been described by seniors. Most of these were storm chasers, or fly-by-night time “contractors” who took money and under no circumstances returned.
A large amount of experiences were being filed on genuine contractors, far too. Roofers, plumbers, contractors, etcetera., who have F scores with the BBB. Remember that the least expensive price does not essentially signify the do the job will be finished properly, if at all.
Prior to engaging everyone to make repairs to your house, test them out. The subsequent tips compiled by the Improved Business Bureau are a excellent way to reduce the chance for fraud.
Know your regional and condition requirements for licensing of contractors. Prerequisites vary from condition to state and, in some instances, town to town or county to county. You should really contact your area permit business office or local developing official relating to community needs. Really don’t hesitate to request for a duplicate of the essential license.
- In Tennessee:
- Jobs about $25,000 involve a legitimate TN Typical Contractor’s license.
- Contractors carrying out function among $3000 and $24,999 in nine Tennessee counties have to hold a legitimate TN Dwelling Advancement license. Shelby and Haywood are the only two counties in West Tennessee that call for this license.
- Jobs beneath $3000 do not call for a state license in Tennessee.
- Be wary of doorway-to-door staff who present up unsolicited featuring to make repairs. This includes corporations giving to eliminate fallen trees and branches, which could bring about even further problems if not appropriately taken off. Just since a person has a chainsaw does not suggest they know how to correctly take away a fallen tree.
- Verify with your coverage enterprise about coverage coverage and precise filing prerequisites. Retain copies of receipts for unexpected emergency repairs for reimbursement later on.
- Consider time to store around for reputable contractors. Get at the very least a few estimates and look at out contractors with BBB.
- Ask the BBB for a list of respected BBB Accredited Businesses to choose from such as roofers, tree removing businesses, fence providers and other home mend companies.
- Get every thing in creating. The created agreement really should define the perform to be completed, the resources to be applied, and the selling price breakdown for each labor and resources. Evaluate it cautiously ahead of signing. Vague clauses this sort of as “repair roof” are invitations for abuse.
- In no way pay back the complete amount of money of repairs in advance. The BBB suggests that you pay back no much more than 30% up front. Pay back with a credit score card if feasible, which gives you a lot more defense if the function is not accomplished as specified.
Not only do we want to support you and significantly our seniors prevent scammers, we also want to make positive our seasoned citizens can just take advantage of all the govt companies and programs out there to them in Shelby County. As section of our Shelby County Cares initiative, the Trustee’s Office together with County Mayor Harris and several other Shelby County businesses have compiled a booklet of companies offered to seniors that will be mailed out this thirty day period.

If you don’t get 1 by the close of March, you should phone (901) 222-0206 to request a person.
Regina Morrison Newman is the Shelby County Trustee.