Bethesda Construction Company Stripped Of License, Court Rules

BETHESDA, MD — The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed Montgomery County's decision to strip a custom home builder of its operating license for violating building codes, forging a homeowner's signature, and failing to place funds in an escrow account.

The Bethesda-based company — JRK Contractor, LLC — is owned by Fernando Guedes, Jr. and Fernando Guedes, Sr. According to the business' Facebook page, the Guedes have "one goal in mind from day one ..." to bring "the highest level of quality to all JRK projects every time."

On July 10, 2018, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Board of Registration revoked JRK's new home builder registration after determining the owners broke the law and provided sub-par workmanship.

Following an investigation, the OCP found that JRK caused "serious and costly construction deficiencies" for clients, committed fraud by forging a homeowner's signature on a building permit application, entered contracts without obtaining a building contractor's license, violated building codes by installing improper basement insulation and gas piping, and more.

"Our office and the Maryland Attorney General's Office received complaints or claims from four of the five homeowners who purchased homes in Bethesda from JRK Builders," said OCP Director Eric Friedman. "The court's action and legal process validates our extraordinary regulatory efforts, but unfortunately, does not serve to remedy the financial loses for these consumers."

Fernando Guedes, Jr. and Fernando Guedes, Sr. filed several appeals that ultimately resulted in two circuit court cases being heard by Maryland's second highest court. On April 27, 2020, the Court of Special Appeals ruled in favor of Montgomery County's decision to revoke JRK's license.

With this ruling, JRK can no longer build new homes in the county.