(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a Columbus home improvement contractor accused of taking consumers’ money but failing to deliver promised goods and services.
The lawsuit accuses Remodeling Group LLC and its owner Joshua Hickman of multiple violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act.
“Many home improvement contractors consistently do great work, but this contractor demonstrated a pattern of taking consumers’ money and failing to provide promised services,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Our goal is to put an end to the violations and to help consumers.”
According to the lawsuit, Remodeling Group offered window replacement, roof work, and other home improvement goods and services.
Consumers complained that they paid deposits — sometimes thousands of dollars — but that Remodeling Group did poor or incomplete work. Based on approximately 10 complaints filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau, estimated consumer damages currently total about $18,000.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed Friday in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, charges Remodeling Group and Joshua Hickman with failure to deliver, performing shoddy work, and entering into one-sided transactions with consumers. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks an end to further violations, restitution for consumers, and civil penalties.
Attorney General DeWine offered consumers the following tips to protect themselves when entering into a home improvement transaction:
- Check for any complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General's Office or Better Business Bureau.
- Ask friends and family for suggestions.
- Get written estimates from several contractors before making a final decision.
- Get all promises in writing. Make sure the written contract includes the start and end dates and an itemized list of all material costs, labor, and services.
- Be wary if the contract requires a large down payment or requires that you write the check directly to the contractor instead of his or her company.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Lawsuit (PDF)
Media Contacts
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840