Nevada State Contractors Board Alert!
Fernley Homeowners Beware...
Art Nadler, Public Information Officer
(702) 486-1100 x1139 or (775) 688-1141 x1139
Northern Nevada Homeowners Beware
Of Unlicensed Contractors Offering Flood-Repair Assistance
The Nevada State Contractors Board is warning Northern Nevada homeowners to beware of scam artists who offer home repairs, following the recent flooding of the City of Fernley.
It is important to verify that a contractor is licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board before giving any money, or authorization for rain or flood-damage repairs. Beware of unlicensed contractors offering emergency repairs. These unlicensed contractors do not have bonds, liability insurance, and their workers are not covered by workman’s compensation benefits. If an unlicensed contractor or his employees are injured on your property, you may be liable for the injuries.
Many times these unlicensed contractors ask for cash payments up front, or before completing the work. Their written contracts are either non-existent, or generally written with no details of the work to be completed.
Any contractor who performs residential or commercial remodeling or repairs must have a valid Nevada State Contractors Board license and display it on his contract or invoice and must provide his pocket licensed contractor ID card, if requested by the homeowner.
Northern Nevada homeowners may contact the NSCB at: (775) 688-1141, or call the unlicensed contractor Hotline at: (775) 850-7838 to see if a contractor being considered is licensed and in good standing, or visit the Board website at: www.nscb.state.nv.us
Remember to always:
• Hire only licensed contractors.
• Check the contractor’s license number by calling the Nevada State Contractors Board at (775) 688-1141 in Northern Nevada.
• Get three references and review past work.
• Get at least three bids.
• Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
• Pay 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less, if a deposit is required.
• Don’t let payments get ahead of the work. Keep a record of all payments.
• Don’t make a final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
• Don’t pay cash.
• Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.
Contacting 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.
Homeowners should not use unlicensed contractors because their work is generally poor quality. Homeowners who use unlicensed contractors are not eligible for the Residential Recovery Fund, and by law their contracts are null and void.
For more information, go to the NSCB website at: www.nscb.state.nv.us or called (775) 688-1141 in Northern Nevada.
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