Contractor caution

When Southwest Florida took a hit from Hurricane Irma, people pulled together to help. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a disaster of Irma's scale can also attract people who see it as an opportunity to prey upon hurricane victims, who are in a vulnerable state.

A prime example is the unlicensed contractor who goes door to door in hurricane-ravaged areas, soliciting jobs and making promises without having the proper credentials, and often demanding a large cash payment up front.

Unlicensed contracting is illegal, but, it's also easy for homeowners to avoid, according to the Lee Building Industry Association, a nonprofit professional association that represents Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. Lee BIA maintains a list of reliable licensed contractors in the three counties at bia.net. The organization also offers guidance and recommendations to homeowners whose residences suffered damage from the hurricane, including: