“When hardworking New Yorkers hire a contractor to make home improvements, they deserve to have that work fully completed and in a timely manner,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will keep working to ensure that fraudulent home contractors are brought to justice.”
The petition alleges that George Frisch, president of Dynabuild Construction Group, Inc., repeatedly and persistently defrauded consumers from the Rochester area by receiving full or partial payments from consumers for home improvement projects but failed to perform any work and what work would be performed was done in a shoddy and unprofessional manner. Consumers who asked for or were promised refunds did not receive them.
Frisch took deposits for snowplowing and home improvement work and spent the money on himself to buy a $30,000 built-in swimming pool and to go on vacation. 11 consumers lost over $70,000 in deposits and additional funds needed to repair poor workmanship left behind by Frisch.
The Attorney General is seeking a permanent injunction against Frisch that will bar him from ever operating a Home Improvement business in New York as well as restitution for defrauded consumers, costs and penalties. If the court grants the injunction, Dynabuild and Frisch will be stopped from defrauding consumers through the home improvement business in New York. The lawsuit seeks over $70,000 in restitution for consumers and over $58,000 in penalties and costs.
When planning to use a home improvement contractor, consumers should consider the following tips:
- Never agree to have work done on the spot, especially when potential contractors are marketing door-to-door
- Determine exactly what you want done, then look for a qualified contractor
- Shop around; get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials and services to be provided
- Ask for references: check with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers, and neighbors.
- Always contact any references provided to you
- Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed
- Do not pay unreasonable advance sums; negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job
- Never pay the full price up front
- Remember that you have three days to cancel after signing a home improvement contract, but all cancellations must be in writing
Additional information on how to avoid fraudulent home improvement contractors can be found on the Attorney General’s Website.
Consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by or have unresolved disputes with a home improvement contractor are urged to call the Attorney General’s Consumer Help Line at (800) 771-7755.
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