By Charlotte Smith
There have been many contractors in Bladen County since Hurricane Florence assisting homeowners with property repairs. Local and out of town professionals have been seen from one end of the county to the other.
However, one reputable insurance agent has reported suspected price gouging. An elderly lady who owns a double wide mobile home in Camp Clearwater at White Lake reported being charged $1,392 to have her roof partially covered by a tarp.
The tarp installation cost may have been price gouging according to professionals in the field.
Brian Sasser a local roofer from Bladen County explained a 40 foot by 20 foot tarp costs $102. An insurance company will usually only pay $350 up to $800 for a contractor to install a tarp on a roof, according to Sasser.
“If the homeowner was charged that much just for the tarp to be added to her roof and no other work was done it is most definitely price gouging,” Sasser said.
Sasser explained he just installed a tarp for $425 which covered almost a whole house and the total included the cost of the tarp and felt he installed.
“People like that give roofers a bad name,” Sasser added.
The insurance agent advocating for the elderly home owner contacted the handy man who installed the tarp and the allegations were denied.
The North Carolina price gouging law is still in effect. Consumers wishing to report suspected price gouging issues may contact the North Carolina Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. For more information about reporting incidents of price gouging click here.
BladenOnline.com will report more information as it becomes available.
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