Charlotte County tornado victims: Beware of unlicensed contractors

Published: Updated:

DEEP CREEK, Fla.- As the cleanup continues in the areas affected by two tornadoes earlier week, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents not to fall victim to unlicensed contractors.

One unlicensed contractor has already been caught by code enforcement, Charlotte County officials said. The county is keeping an eye on workers to ensure tornado victims don’t get ripped off.

By hiring unlicensed contractors, homeowners are risking not having a permit for the work that needs to be completed and the contractor may take all the money without finishing what they promised, county officials said.

“There was a guy from the county who came by this morning and asked them to give them verification that they were licensed and all these different kinds of things,” said Gerald Otten whose home was destroyed by the EF-1 tornado that hit the Deep Creek area. Otten’s home was left with an estimated $100,000 in damage.

County officials remind tornado victims to never pay the full amount up-front. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office also shares the following tips:

  • Don’t hire any clean-up work without first verifying the contractors and businesses are properly licensed, insured and bonded.
  • Even those presenting business cards with license numbers need to be confirmed if they’re going door to door or calling unsolicited.
  • This information can be obtained through the Charlotte County Licensing Division at 941-743-1201 or by calling the Charlotte/Desoto Building Industry Association at 941-625-0804.
  • If you see workers soliciting in the area that may be unlicensed, you can contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to respond and investigate.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.