The anguish and anger of some 50 Santa Rosa-area homeowners, who the Sonoma County District Attorney says were defrauded by a Tulare-based construction firm’s owners after the devastating 2017 Tubbs Fire, may serve as a cautionary tale for Solano County residents affected by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire.
To that end, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams wants to alert residents who may have suffered the ravages of the recent complex of fires to beware of potential construction fraud scams and price gouging during a time of recovery and rebuilding.
“As our community continues to deal with all of the devastation produced by the wildfires, our office remains committed to protecting our citizens as they rebuild,” Abrams said in a press release issued late Friday afternoon.
Price gouging is against the law, she noted in the prepared statement, citing a Penal Code section that makes it illegal to raise the price of certain goods or services by more than 10 percent after a state of emergency has been declared. This includes food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, storage services, hotel accommodations, rental housing, gasoline, and repair/reconstruction services or goods/services used for emergency cleanup.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of price gouging may report it to the DA’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, telephone (707) 784-6859, or send an email to dacepu@solanocounty.com.
Abrams said construction fraud is another “area of concern” in the wake of a disaster.
Such fraud may occur when those affected by the fire seek to repair or rebuild and an unlicensed or licensed contractor fails to complete the necessary work after signing a contract, the basis for the allegations against the Tulare-based firm, Chiaramonte Construction & Plumbing.
Construction fraud also occurs if the work is poorly done, the contractor uses substandard material, or overbills, Abrams added in the release, which listed recommendations to protect against fraud:
• Talk to your insurance agent. They will provide you with an estimate for the cost to repair your property. Use this estimate when negotiating with contractors. If you have a question about your insurance or a dispute with your insurer, contact the California Department of Insurance at (800) 927-4357 or through their website, www.insurance.ca.gov.
• Check the references of the contractors you are considering, especially if the contractor is someone you are not familiar with or solicits you.
• Always make sure a contractor is licensed. Their licenses can be verified by contacting the Contractors State Licensing Board at (800) 321-2752 or www.cslb.ca.gov.
• Beware of contractors that want you to spend money on temporary repairs. These repairs may count toward your total insurance settlement and end up reducing the amount of funds available to make permanent repairs.
• Don’t be rushed into signing a contract. The best practice is to interview several contractors and get several bids. Make sure you read the fine print on any estimate or contract prior to signing.
• Try to hire a local contractor with a known reputation when possible. It is easier to work with a local contractor if problems occur.
• Always get the job details in writing and make sure the contract is written in terms you can understand. Any verbal guarantees or work to be performed should be spelled out in writing.
• Never leave areas blank in the contract, as they can be filled in later without your knowledge with unacceptable or unfavorable terms.
• Never pay for an entire project in advance or before the work is completed. California law, Abrams pointed out, states that “If a down payment will be charged, the down payment may not exceed $1000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less.” Limiting the amount of payment a contractor receives up front will help to ensure that your work will be fully completed.
• If excavation work is being done (including electrical, walls and sewers) make sure your contractor obtains all the proper permits and that a building inspector checks the work once it’s completed.
Many resources remain available for those affected by the fires, Abrams noted. Solano County has established a Local Assistance Center, where residents can get information on obtaining county services, as well as resource information from other state agencies.
The Local Assistance Center is on the first floor of the County Administration Center, 675 Texas St., in Fairfield. It is open for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Tuesday or by appointment, telephone (707) 784-1575.
For more information, visit www.solanocountyrecovers.org/agencies/local-assistance-center/.
Abrams’ alert comes as President Donald Trump plans to visit California on Monday for an update on the wildfires that have charred parts of the Golden State. He will visit McClellan Park, in Sacramento County, which has served as a base for statewide firefighter operations, and he will be briefed by local and federal fire and emergency officials, White House officials said Saturday.
