Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a roofer accused of failing to provide promised services to consumers in southwest Ohio.
According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, David M. Nelson and his company, American Property Claims Specialists LLC, contacted consumers at their homes and accepted deposits for home improvement services, but then did not perform the work or did an incomplete, shoddy job.
The defendants reportedly told consumers that their roofs were damaged and their insurance would cover the cost of repairs. Consumers complained that after they provided their insurance checks to American Property Claims Specialists, the company failed to return to perform the work.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is aware of 13 unresolved complaints against American Property Claims Specialists, with reported losses totaling approximately $52,000. Additional consumers may be affected.
“We’re committed to protecting Ohio consumers from unfair and deceptive sales practices,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We encourage consumers to contact us when they have complaints about home repairs or other consumer transactions.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, accuses Nelson and American Property Claims Specialists of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act. The Attorney General seeks reimbursement for harmed consumers, an injunction to stop any violations of the law, and civil penalties.
Consumers can help protect themselves from home improvement problems by taking the following steps:
- Research contractors carefully. Ask neighbors, friends, or family members for recommendations. Check with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the contractor. Ask for references of past customers, and contact those past customers to ask about their experiences with the contractor.
- Get written estimates from several contractors before making a final decision.
- Keep in mind that in Ohio, door-to-door sellers generally are required to give you a three-day right to cancel the contract under the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
- Don’t hand over your insurance check, and avoid making large upfront payments. It’s reasonable for a contractor to require a down payment, but if you have to pay half or more of the total cost before any work begins, be skeptical.
- Read any documents a contractor gives you before signing them. Don’t rely on verbal claims.
- Make sure the written contract includes the start and end dates and an itemized list of all material costs, labor, and services.
Consumers can file complaints with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
