Mangano Issues Consumer Warning

With residents and business owners beginning to piece together the remains of their lives damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is advising those in need of repairs and reconstruction to protect themselves from further devastation by hiring unlicensed home improvement contractors. Home improvement contractors who are licensed through the county’s Office of Consumer Affairs have a County issued license number.

“When hiring a contractor to work on your home, you should only put your home or business in the hands of a qualified professional, not an unlicensed contractor looking to make a quick buck. I strongly encourage anyone who needs to make home repairs to do research beforehand and to make sure they hire a licensed, experienced contractor,” said County Executive Mangano. “Your homes are too valuable, especially in today’s economy, to entrust them to anyone but the very best. You can be assured that my administration is prepared to pursue and prosecute any unlicensed contractor who preys on unsuspecting homeowners.”

County Executive Mangano added that “We need to make it clear; contractors who refuse to get a license and seek to take advantage of our residents will face steep fines, seizure of their trucks and equipment, and even criminal arrest.”

Residents or business owners can obtain contractor licensing information by calling Consumer Affairs at 516-571-2600 or visiting the Nassau County website at www.nassaucountyny.gov.