Hurricane Ian and Construction Industry Pricing

Hurricane Ian and Construction Industry Pricing

Beware of unscrupulous contractors for roof repairs after Hurricane Ian! Consumers should know the following when selecting a roofing contractor!

Florida Statute 501.610, commonly referred to as the Price Gouging Statute, states that during a declared state of emergency the rental or sale of essential commodities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 30 days before the declaration of the state of emergency is unlawful. The statute defines a “commodity” as “any goods, services, materials, merchandise, supplies, equipment, resources, or other article of commerce, and includes, without limitation, food, water, ice, chemicals, petroleum products, and lumber necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the emergency” Inflated prices on the rental or sale of the commodities is unlawful unless the increase in the amount charged is attributable to additional costs incurred in connection with the sale of the commodity.

With regard to the construction industry, the Price Gouging Statute would apply to a roof that was damaged as a result of a hurricane during a declared state of emergency. Decking, underlayment, shingles, and other materials used when repairing the roof would be subject to the Price Gouging Statute, and it would be unlawful to increase the price of the materials by an amount that grossly exceeds the average price of the commodity during the 30 days prior to the declared state of emergency. The same would hold true for truss repair, drywall replacement and interior restoration. In its definition of commodities, the statute specifically mentions lumber and encompasses other materials used as a direct result of the emergency. The definition also refers to services and resources, which would likely entail a restriction on grossly increasing prices for the labor portion of the roof repair.

Please be aware, however, that increased prices can affect more than just consumers. Reasonable increased costs to a contractor during a state of emergency may be reflected in the cost of repair work. Please take note of the word “Reasonable”. Grossly inflated costs are of course not warranted and may be illegal.

Please pick a reputable Florida State Licensed Roofing Contractor (State License Numbers CCC1333284 and CCC1331085) such as Arch Roofing & Repair, LLC for your roof repairs or replacement to guard against this price gouging practice by unscrupulous contractors.

Current Florida State Contractor Licenses can be verified on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=

 


Information from Roofer’s Coffee


 

 

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