Larry –
Total money lost $1,700
Type of a scam Home Improvement
Phone call asking if home improvement projects needed. Person on the phone said they have a number of contractors they can refer. I had received calls from same person in past so they new of jobs I was looking to have completed in the future. Contractor contacted us in follow-up to that call and came to provide quote for work. A deposit of 25% required to book. No work ever took place. We requested money back – no response.
Mike promised the moon to my 83 year old mother. It started with a cold call to do any kind of reno (the website claims so many things are their speciality). My mother wanted the driveway repaved. She mentioned an adjoining fence and Mike quoted 5000 for both which seemed reasonable.
In the meantime, he talked her into a chimney repair and then promised her an attached carport that she had been thinking about. He quickly finished the fence (not a very professional job in my opinion) and sat down to get $2300 for the the fence portion of the driveway/fence job.
He then asked for another $4500 down-payment for the carport and chimney work. He had no drawings or permits, just empty promises. He disappeared for several months then returned to say that the city wouldn’t allow a carport but he could rig up a 3 sided, covered structure and attach an awning to the house to make a safe passage to the car. At this point we pushed to cancel the work, leaving the driveway untouched and asked for the $4500 back. He disappeared again.
My mother took him to small claims court. He did not show up. The judge awarded her $5500. He has made no repayment, said that he might declare bankruptcy and it seems that he is still out there scamming others.
STAY AWAY!!!!