Hurricanes and Price Gouging
Hurricanes have brought a myriad of legal issues to the forefront. One of the most important things for any roofing contractor or supplier to remember during hurricane repairs are the Florida-specific, price gouging laws. Florida Statute 501.610, commonly referred to as the Price Gouging Statute, states that during a declared state of emergency the rental or sale of essential commodities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 30 days before the declaration of the state of emergency is unlawful. The statute defines a “commodity” as any goods, services, materials, merchandise, supplies, equipment, lumber, and other products necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the emergency. Inflated prices on the rental or sale of the commodities is unlawful unless the increase in the amount charged is attributable to additional costs incurred in connection with the sale of the commodity. With regard the roofing industry, the Pri...