Q: A contractor charged me for fencing panels but installed pickets instead--isn't "bait and switch" illegal?
I do not believe he is licensed. He has a LLC. I have searched the internet and his company does not come up or his name. Yet he is telling everyone he is licensed. He built a deck for my neighbor and did a great job. I reviewed all his work on FB and everyone seemed satisfied. However, the fence he built for me looks nothing like the picture I showed him before he took the job. He said he could do that. It is hideous. After 5 months the fence is leaning forward. It is a 6' fence with only 2 horizontal beams in the back. Should have 3. It is not aligned at the top. He charged me for "panels" and purchased "pickets" instead. I did not have a contract. On the quote there is a 2 year craftsmanship warranty, which as he explained to me means "we cover all defects from install". I paid him $3670. He does not answer texts, phone calls or emails. He believe he saw an opportunity to make some extra money off of an elderly person.
A:
It is a crime for an unlicensed contractor to work without a license. If he is not licensed, you can file criminal charges and ask for a refund as restitution.
If he is licensed, you can filed a complaint with the home improvement commission.
You also could sue him for damages.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
