(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed two consumer protection lawsuits against home improvement contractors accused of failing to deliver home improvement services to consumers in central and southwest Ohio.
“‘Take the money and run’ will get you in serious trouble in Ohio,” Yost said. “These two are going to have to face the judge.”
The first case is filed in Hamilton County. In that case Robert J. Collins, who owned United Home Solutions LLC, is accused of violating state consumer protection laws including the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
The lawsuit alleges a wide array of behavior by both Collins and his company in violation of Ohio’s consumer protection laws including taking consumers’ money and doing no work or performing work in a shoddy manner.
The company also allegedly failed to provide proper notice to consumers of their right to cancel their contracts within three days as required by Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act.
In September 2018, following an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit, Collins pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and was ordered to pay more than $50,000 in consumer restitution. The lawsuit announced today addresses three additional consumers who suffered approximately $20,000 in total losses.
In a second lawsuit, Attorney General Yost filed a complaint in Franklin County against Davis Healthy Basement Solutions LLC and its owner Jeffrey Davis, of Grove City. Davis is accused of violating state consumer protection laws by taking consumers’ money and failing to provide promised services or performing shoddy work in relation to basement waterproofing and concrete services. Consumer damages currently total around $68,000 among nine unresolved complaints.
The company also allegedly failed to provide consumers with a detachable notice of cancellation form as required by Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act.
Both of the lawsuits seek an end to any violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act and reimbursement for consumers.
To help consumers avoid home improvement problems, Attorney General Yost offered the following recommendations:
- Research contractors carefully. Ask for recommendations, and talk to past customers about their experiences with a contractor. Search for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Find out if the business is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. Conduct an online search of the business name and the owner’s name. Be skeptical if you find no information. Some operators change business names regularly to make it harder for consumers to detect their record of shoddy work.
- Get multiple estimates. For a large job, consider contacting at least three different businesses before making a final selection. Keep in mind that the company that gives you the lowest estimate may not necessarily deliver the best results.
- Understand your cancellation rights. If a home improvement contractor does not have a fixed place of business or comes to your door to offer services, you may be entitled to a three-day right to cancel the contract under Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. Make sure you receive detailed written information about your cancellation rights.
- Get verbal promises in writing. If a contractor makes verbal claims, make sure they are put in writing. Otherwise they are not guaranteed. Also make sure the written contract includes other important information such as the estimated cost, the expected start and end dates, and the names of the individuals who will perform the work.
- Be wary of requests for large down payments. It’s reasonable for a contractor to require a down payment, but be skeptical if you’re asked to make a large down payment (such as half or more of the total cost) before any work begins. If possible, pay in increments as the work is completed.
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or
www.OhioProtects.org.
Accessible versions of the linked files are available by request.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
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