Welcome to the Johnson City Area Home Builders Association
JCAHBA represents the best of the home building, development and remodeling industry in Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties and promotes responsible development of quality neighborhoods which encourages the American Dream of Home Ownership.
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There are thousands of legitimate, ethical contractors in business around the country. Unfortunately, there are also scam artists looking to cheat you out of your money who pose as legitimate contractors. These “fly-by-night” operators often show up in communities impacted by natural disasters to try to scam distressed homeowners into paying for shoddy repairs or work that they will never show up to perform
As Northeast Tennessee begins the recovery after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, local home builders are warning residents to be aware of scammers that may pose as legitimate contractors. The Johnson City Area Home Builders Association encourages all residents to research contractors to avoid paying for substandard home repairs.
The following is a list of things to remember when hiring a professional contractor. Always do your homework and proceed with care.
- Ask for proof of a current license from the State of Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
- Ask for proof of general liability and workman’s compensation insurance. A reputable contractor should be able to show you an insurance certificate and expect you to ask for it. Usually, we would tell you to contact his/her insurance carrier and have a copy of the certificate sent directly from the agency, however, this may not be realistic during this time of disaster.
- In Elizabethton, Erwin, Greeneville, Johnson City, Mountain City and the surrounding counties, jobs should always be permitted and inspected. You should check with the inspection department in your area for complete information or if fees are currently required.
- Ask for references and check those references.
- Verify the company’s permanent business address is in this area and not from out of state.
- If you get more than one bid, be sure you read through the estimates and compare similar scopes of work with comparable materials and labor
- You should understand your contract and warranties that the builder will provide for the work performed. The contract should outline the scope of the work, the price, and at what points of completion payment is due.
- Be wary of low bids – lowest bid is not always the best!
- Be wary of a contractor who wants full or cash payments before the job begins and utilizes high pressure sales tactics to sign a contract.
