Contractors must be licensed by City to do storm repair, other work in Pierre

JULY 21, 2023:

All roofing and construction contractors are required to be licensed by the City of Pierre before doing work within city limits. That reminder comes from City Engineer Nick Waters.

Property owners and contractors are also reminded city ordinance requires a building permit for roofing, siding and window work. That reminder is from Pierre City Building Official Matt Elberson.

Severe weather ripped through central and southeastern South Dakota Tuesday night (July 18, 2023) bringing strong, gusty winds and dropping a range of dime to softball sized hail. A tornado was spotted about 10 miles south of Fort Pierre, briefly touching down.

Waters says the recent hail storm is a good reminder for the public to confirm contractors they’re considering having do work for them are properly licensed. He says there are contractors who travel across the country chasing storms, but they might not be locally licensed or familiar with local building requirements.

Elberson says they inspect all work completed under a building permit. He says checking for licensure and obtaining a building permit protects property owners by making sure work conforms with Pierre’s building code.

To confirm licensure, Pierre property owners should contact the City Building Department at 605-773-3072. Permit requests for contractors are available at CityofPierre.org or by calling the City Building Department (605-773-3072).

JULY 20, 2023:

South Dakota’s Attorney General is warning consumers about home and roof repair scams that have surfaced in South Dakota due to severe weather earlier this week (July 18, 2023).

Marty Jackley says unfortunately, scammers react quickly to these situations.

Jackley says his office’s Division of Consumer Protection quickly began receiving complaints about repair companies with aggressive tactics. He encourages folks to turn to repair places they are familiar with.

After a disaster, people often feel an urgency to get their homes, vehicles or other damaged items fixed as quickly as possible. Jackley, however, urges people to not rush into making a decision regarding these repairs, no matter how good the deal seems or how quickly they claim they’ll be able to do your repairs.

Severe weather ripped through central and southeastern South Dakota Tuesday night bringing strong, gusty winds and dropping a range of dime to softball sized hail. A tornado was spotted about 10 miles south of Fort Pierre, briefly touching down.

To contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office, call 1-800-300-1986 or email consumerhelp@state.sd.us.

The Consumer Protection Division suggests taking the following precautions when dealing with storm repair companies:

Do not be pressured into a quick agreement.
Request a written contract specifying in detail the work to be done and the agreed upon price.
Be cautious if cash-only terms are required.
Do not make full payment before the job is satisfactorily completed.
Ask for local references and call these references to make sure they were satisfied.
Get bids from other companies to compare prices.
Consumers typically have a three day right to cancel on door-to-door sales contracts.
Sellers must provide the consumer with a copy of the contract or receipt at the time of the sale. This receipt must show the date of the sale, the name and address of the merchant, and a statement to the buyer of his or her right to cancel the contact within three days.
Remember that a legitimate offer does not require you to have the work done immediately. Do not get pressured into a sale.
Ask to see their current South Dakota tax license. State law requires all persons selling products or services to have a current South Dakota sales or contractors’ excise tax license. Remember that even though they may have this license it does not mean that you will be able to locate them once the work is done.
Be cautious when allowing a company to negotiate with your insurance company.

JULY 19, 2023, UPDATE:

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning consumers about home and roof repair scams that have surfaced in South Dakota due to recent severe weather.

“The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is already receiving complaints from the public saying they have been contacted by repair companies that have popped up overnight,” said Attorney General Jackley. “While we understand the urgency to get your homes or vehicles fixed in the most expedient manner, I would ask that you do not rush into making a decision regarding these repairs, no matter how good the deal seems, or that you are promised that you are in the top five of the order to have your repairs made.”

The Consumer Protection Division suggests taking the following precautions when dealing with storm repair companies:

Do not be pressured into a quick agreement.
Request a written contract specifying in detail the work to be done and the agreed upon price.
Be cautious if cash-only terms are required.
Do not make full payment before the job is satisfactorily completed.
Ask for local references and call these references to make sure they were satisfied.
Get bids from other companies to compare prices.
Consumers typically have a three day right to cancel on door-to-door sales contracts.
Sellers must provide the consumer with a copy of the contract or receipt at the time of the sale. This receipt must show the date of the sale, the name and address of the merchant, and a statement to the buyer of his or her right to cancel the contact within three days.
Remember that a legitimate offer does not require you to have the work done immediately. Do not get pressured into a sale.
Ask to see their current South Dakota tax license. State law requires all persons selling products or services to have a current South Dakota sales or contractors’ excise tax license. Remember that even though they may have this license it does not mean that you will be able to locate them once the work is done.
Be cautious when allowing a company to negotiate with your insurance company.

“It is important that you compare prices and check out references for work quality before falling victim to unscrupulous door-to-door tactics,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us with questions or concerns about such issues.

JULY 19, 2023:

Here are more photos of the hail that fell in Pierre and Fort Pierre during the July 18, 2023, storm. These were submitted through the DRG Facebook page.

Courtesy photo.

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JULY 18, 2023:

Severe thunderstorms producing high winds, heavy rain and hail ripped through central South Dakota this evening (July 18, 2023). Here are some photos of the hail in Pierre.