Forum Archive: Posts by: jayone12345

I hired a licensed home improvement contractor to make some renovations to my apartment. Insurance and workman’s comp checked out, job sites and past work looked good too. As a coincidence, it turned out my friend knew his relatives and in-laws, stating they were good people. After the contractor obtained a work permit, the contractor did not get permits for electrical or plumbing work, nor did he used licensed professionals for that work. I stopped the project and had separate professionals inspect the work — I was told the construction was very shoddy, the electrical and plumbing would fail any type of inspection by the city. The electrical work would also draw violations. They started to close walls up and tile the bathroom walls, so they were preventing any inspection and they can’t say the “I wasn’t finished” excuse.

During the ensuing arguments with the contractor on how to resolve the problems, I discovered that the salesperson had a revoked license when the contract was signed. His license is still revoked and because of numerous complaints, he has a 5-year ban by the Dept of Consumer Affairs. I had missed this earlier when I did license checks because I was unaware that they needed separate licenses and he disguised his last name by omitting a few letters when I had asked. The home improvement contractor himself did not sign the contract but has deposited the checks. Neither know that I’m aware of the revoked license. It was a huge stroke of luck that I was able to find out his real last name.

I had asked for them to come up with a number of how much I should get back for work that was not done correctly… the other contractor estimates I should get back $25,000. I’ve waited 2 weeks for that number and still nothing. A lawsuit doesn’t seem like the immediate option… it will take time and money with little chance to collect. I waiting to consult with a third lawyer… the first one said it wasn’t probably worth it the other wanted to sue right away.

Should I go straight to the Office of the Attorney General (Consumer Frauds Bureau), The Department of Consumer Affairs, or seek professional arbitration (there was no clause about dispute resolution in the contract)? Is there something else I should do?

Thanks for any help!