(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is seeking over $146,000 in consumer refunds from two central Ohio contractors accused of skipping out on home improvement projects.
“This couple deserted projects without giving any explanation – that’s because there’s no excuse for these rip-offs,” Yost said. “Now they’ll have to answer to the judge.”
According to the lawsuit, Scott and Camie Reed allegedly failed to deliver promised services or refunds after accepting down payments from customers. The Reeds, of Stoutsville, have done business under the names Capital City Custom Home Improvement LLC and C&S Design Group.
Five complaints submitted to Yost’s Consumer Protection Section blame the Reeds for losses totaling more than $146,000. Three of the complaints say the Reeds never completed any work, while the other two complaints describe their work as shoddy and incomplete. The consumers are from Franklin, Richland, Ross and Union counties.
The lawsuit filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas requests an order requiring the Reeds to reimburse affected customers and pay civil penalties. It also requests an injunction ordering them to stop violating the state’s consumer protection laws.
Attorney General Yost reminds consumers to take the following steps before signing a contract for home improvement services:
- Check for any complaints against the contractor with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau.
- Make sure your contract includes notice of your right to cancel a door-to-door sale. Contractors generally cannot start working until the three-day “cooling-off” period ends.
- Get written estimates from several contractors before making a final decision.
- Check to make sure that the written contract includes any verbal promises, the start and end dates, and an itemized list of all significant costs, labor and services.
- Be wary if the contract requires a large down payment or requires that you write a check directly to the contractor instead of his or her company.
- Check with the Ohio Secretary of State to confirm that the business is registered properly.
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
An accessible version of the linked file is available by request.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
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