Contractor’s board warns of wind damage scams

Recent high winds may have caused many homeowners to experience roof and other exterior home damage. Before hiring someone to repair your home, Margi Grein, executive officer of the Nevada State Contractors Board, encourages homeowners to use properly licensed contractors for repairs .

Unlicensed contractors are known to solicit homeowners in natural disaster
areas and will prey on unsuspecting homeowners.

Homeowners should beware of these red flags before hiring someone to do work:

n Door-to-door solicitations: If someone knocks on your door and offers repairs and home-improvement services, chances are he or she is not a licensed contractor. Make sure solicitation flyers left at your door have a valid Nevada contractor's license number displayed.

n The great deal: Many scam artists will approach homeowners and claim they have "left-over materials" from another job and can offer a deal at a reduced price.

n Cash payment upfront: Unlicensed contractors often attempt to get large payments upfront to "buy materials," or offer some other excuse to get most of their money before beginning a project. Never pay in cash and always get receipts.

Homeowners also should be aware that many unlicensed contractors list their services on Craigslist, and on area bulletin boards at grocery stores and home-improvement stores.

"To protect yourself from unlicensed contractors, you should always ask to see the contractor's identification card that will have his or her Nevada contractor's license number displayed," Grein advises.

All bids and contracts should have this license number prominently displayed. The contractor's vehicle should also have the license number displayed.

Once you have the license number, either call the Nevada State Contractors Board at: 486-1100 to verify if this person is a licensed contractor. You can also find out by going online to www.nscb.state.nv.us to do a license search.

The Nevada State Contractors Board offers these tips to protect yourself:

n Hire only licensed contractors.

n Get three references and review past work.

n Get at least three bids.

n Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.

n Pay 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less, if a deposit is required.

n Don't let payments get ahead of the work. Keep a record of all payments.

n Don't make a final payment until you are satisfied with the job.

n Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.

Contracting without a license in Nevada is a misdemeanor for the first offense, a gross misdemeanor for the second offense and a Class E felony for the third offense.