Millions of Texans were impacted by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. As citizens across the state tried to rebuild, some unscrupulous contractors swindled many property owners out of their money. Now state lawmakers are fighting back with a new bill that would change the way the state regulates roofing contractors.
In the aftermath of a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey, people are suffering and desperate to get repairs done as quickly as possible. This creates a market vulnerable to certain contractors who don’t play by the rules. Before property owners know what happened, these swindlers could have taken their money and left without finishing the job or completing the job correctly. This is why State Representative Giovanni Capriglione and State Senator Judith Zaffirini have filed a bill to regulate roofing contractors. House Bill 2101 and its companion bill in the Senate would require all roofing contractors to be registered with the state. This registry would then be made available to the public through a website listing all registered contractors and any sanctions or penalties against them. This would allow property owners to check the credentials of a contractor before hiring them for projects.
Currently there is only a voluntary licensing system for Texas contractors. Because contractors are not required to get licensed with the state, it is extremely difficult for consumers to evaluate whether or not they are trustworthy. If passed, House Bill 2101 would make it extremely difficult for unregistered and dishonest contractors to operate.
A Slow Recovery
Recovery from Hurricane Harvey is far from over for many Texans. It’s been over a year and half after the storm and many are still struggling to rebuild. Unfortunately, dishonest contractors aren’t the only ones slowing down recovery. Many building owners are having their Hurricane Harvey wind claims wrongfully denied by insurance companies reluctant to pay out on valid claims. Bad faith tactics are running rampant, and policyholders are suffering as a result.
Get Help With Your Hurricane Harvey Wind Claim
If your insurance company is delaying, underpaying, or outright denying your Hurricane Harvey wind claim, Raizner Law can help. We are committed to helping Hurricane Harvey victims rebuild. Contact us today for a free consultation.
