Some Northern New Jersey residential home improvement companies have been sued by the state Attorney General’s office and the State Division of Consumer Affairs. Steming from complaints from nearly 70 consumers, including five from Monmouth County, six from Middlesex County, four from Union County, three from Somerset County and one from Morris County, the allegations are wide ranging, including:- Failure to honor warranties and guarantees
- Failure to properly make required repairs to defective work
- Failure to return customer deposits despite failing to perform the work
- False advertising: the companies apparently indicated that they were linked to a government agency
- Failure to obtain required permits prior to performing the work
According to the Attorney General’s office, the New Jersey Residential Construction Contractors left homeowners with dangerous and unsafe conditions, including fire hazards. The lawsuit, which was filed by the state authorities in Bergen County, was filed against the following companies: A-1 American Construction Inc., A 1 American Chimney Limited Liability Company, Brick City Chimney Service LLC., Brick Chimney Service and Cleaning Inc., and Roofing Police or Roofing Squad. The lawsuit has also named the alleged owners and co-owners of the companies: John Kot, 41, of Garwood and Gabriel R. DaSilva, 43, of Paterson.
The State indicated that the allegations are a result of an investigation that revealed wide randing Consumer Fraud Act violations. In at least one case, a company was hired to perform a roof repair, but refused to come back and fix a leak that resulted from the repair.
The state is seeking restitution for consumers, and has requested that the companies and the individuals be fined in order to cover the Sate’s costs for the investigation and attorney fees.