State Cites 35 Home Improvement Contractors For Unfinished Work, Failure To Give Refunds, More

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs on Monday named 35 contractors that allegedly refused to provide refunds to customers for unfinished or unsatisfactory work, and 22 of those also were cited for not registering with the state as required of all contractors.

Two Brick Township contractors and a Toms River firm were among those cited, according to a news release from the state Attorney General’s office.

Hind Landscape Nursery, and Paradise Pools and Spas NJ, LLC, both of Brick, allegedly have failed to complete work or provide refunds. Hind Landscape addionally was cited for being unregistered, according to the list of contractors released by the attorney general.

Thick Paving and Masonry, LLC, d/b/a All State Paving and Masonry, Toms River, was cited for failing to complete work and/or failing to provide refunds and also was unregistered, according to the list.

Notices of violation were issued to 35 contractors throughout the state, seeking $567,676.41 in consumer restitution and civil penalties and is just for the fourth quarter. In total for 2014, 130 contractors have been cited, seeking more than $2.1 million in consumer restitution and penalties.

“Our year-long crackdown is bringing significant amounts of restitution back to those consumers who allegedly were left with unfinished or unsatisfactory products by contractors who refused to provide refunds,” acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “Home improvement projects are among the most expensive and stressful expenses a homeowner is likely to take on.”

The contractors must pay $438,176.41 in restitution to consumers, in amounts ranging from $1,500 to $68,405, for allegedly failing to complete work that consumers had paid for in advance, failing to refund deposits, or other issues. They must additionally pay civil penalties that for the whole group total $129,500.

Violators of the Contractors’ Registration Act are subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation, and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations.

Each of the contractors receiving a violation notice has the opportunity to contest the claims and contest the DCA’s assessment of consumer restitution, the attorney general’s office said.

“Our partnership with New Jersey’s consumers is vital to the Division of Consumer Affairs’ enforcement action,” Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Steve Lee said. “Throughout this year-long crackdown, we learned about the majority of these contractors thanks to complaints filed by consumers.”

New Jersey law requires that all individuals or businesses who solicit and/or perform home improvement work must obtain registration from the Division of Consumer Affairs. The registration application requires demonstration that the contractor has a legitimate street address and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

For home improvement projects costing more than $500, the contractor must provide the consumer with a written contract with specific, detailed information including the project’s agreed-upon price; the starting and ending dates; the scope of work; the contractor’s business name, address, and registration number; and other required information.

Tips for Consumers, When Hiring a Contractor:

Learn about any contractor before deciding to hire them. It is ideal to work with a contractor who is recommended by people you know. It also is advisable to ask the contractor for references and speak with those references about the contractor’s work.

Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to learn if the contractor is duly registered to perform home improvement work in New Jersey, and learn whether the contractor has been the subject of consumer complaints and/or legal action by the Division. You can call the Division at (800) 242-5846 or use the Division’s website, NJConsumerAffairs.gov.

Before hiring the contractor, demand a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance policy and contact the insurer to learn whether the policy is valid.

Obtain a written contract. Contracts for home improvement projects costing $500 or more must be in writing. They must include the legal name, business address, and registration number of the contractor as well as a start date, completion date, description of the work to be done, and the total price.

Make sure all warranties and guarantees are in writing, and that the contract states the name brands or quality/grades of the materials to be used.

Ensure that all applicable construction permits are obtained by the contractor, from the appropriate municipality.

Remember that it is customary not to pay for the entire project in advance. The general practice is to pay for one-third in advance, one-third halfway through, and one-third upon completion.

Additional tips can be found in the Division’s Consumer Brief on “Hiring Home Improvement Contractors,” available in English at and in Spanish.

Information for Home Improvement Contractors:

To advertise and perform home improvement work legally in New Jersey, contractors must register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. View registration materials and information.

Investigators Joseph Iasso, Loretta Creggett, Michelle Davis, Michael Meola, and, Waiman Yee, led by Supervising Investigator Jen Micco of the Division of Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection, conducted these investigations.

Deputy Attorneys General from the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section within the Division of Law represented the State in these actions.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint online with the State Division of Consumer Affairs or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.