{"id":123,"date":"2026-05-15T12:35:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T12:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=123"},"modified":"2026-05-15T12:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T12:35:14","slug":"how-to-choose-a-reputable-contractor-for-post-disaster-construction-and-avoid-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=123","title":{"rendered":"How to choose a reputable contractor for post-disaster construction and avoid scams"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – About 300 homes on Oahu alone were deemed unsafe to live in after March\u2019s Kona low storms, with residents now waiting to complete much-needed repairs.<\/p>\n

Read more Titriyski leaving UH men\u2019s volleyball program to pursue pro career<\/a><\/p>\n

Experts say it will take time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s been completely destroyed or over 50% damage, you now have to build to code based on FEMA guidelines as well as the state guidelines,\u201d explained Roseann Freitas, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii. \u201cThere\u2019s no skirting that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Building Industry Association is reminding folks not to take shortcuts when rebuilding and to be wary of contractors who claim they can get you expedited service. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cSomebody may say that, but I would still call DPP just to verify, \u2018Hey, I was impacted by this flooding. Do I, can I expect an expedited permit?\u2019 And really, only they can tell if that\u2019s going to be the case,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Freitas says disaster victims are vulnerable to contractor scams if they let emotion and desperation cloud their judgment.<\/p>\n

Do your research and get different quotes before agreeing to any repairs, especially if someone offers to do a project for free or at a deep discount. <\/p>\n

Read more Episode 47 of Kilauea fountaining begins<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf they are significantly lower than anybody else, what\u2019s missing? And that\u2019s when you go, OK, can you compare? And that\u2019s comparing the scope from the different proposals,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

Otherwise, you could be left with shoddy or unfinished work. <\/p>\n

Fraud experts say it comes down to being vigilant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanna make sure that you are paying an appropriate price for quality work to be done at your home, so it doesn\u2019t need to be redone later on, and you have to pay for it twice to be fixed,\u201d said Attila Seress, CEO of cybersecurity firm Cypac.<\/p>\n

Other tips for selecting a reputable contractor:<\/p>\n

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\u201cLegitimate contractors will ask for a deposit. They need a deposit for materials, they need it for labor, but they\u2019re not going to ask for every dime upfront. When they do, that\u2019s a big red flag that this could be a scam,\u201d Freitas said. <\/p>\n

Individuals and families who sustained losses that are not covered by insurance should apply for FEMA aid by June 14, 2026. Funds can cover food, water, medicine, rental assistance, essential home repairs, and reimbursement for expenses like childcare, transportation and medical costs.<\/p>\n

Simple steps to prevent further heartache when recovering from a disaster.<\/p>\n

Catch \u201cCovering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos\u201d Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. on HNN\u2019s streaming app. <\/p>\n

Read more Molokai residents wait for repairs nearly two months after second Kona Low<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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