WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — According to a media advisory from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), The State of Washington and local officials have received reports that some contractors are engaging in price gouging or fraud in rebuilding flood survivors’ homes.
Officials say that some contractors are charging survivors exorbitant prices for reconstruction and repairs, and others may be falsely presenting themselves as registered, licensed and bonded in the state.
L&I officials urge people who believe they were defrauded by a contractor after the November flooding and mudslides to file a complaint at Lni.wa.gov/ReportAContractor or 888-811-5974.
State law requires construction contractors to register with L&I, which confirms they have a bond,
business license, liability insurance and meet other requirements.
Homeowners can verify if a construction contractor is registered and get tips on how to hire
contractors at L&I’s ProtectMyHome.net or by calling 800-647-0982.
L&I has compiled a list of resources to help home and business owners, employers and workers
recover from natural disasters at the L&I website.
