St. Louis BBB Warns Against Area Contractor

The St. Louis Better Business Bureau issued a warning to those searching for a new contractor on Wednesday.

Pettis Construction Company, located at 6555 Parker Rd. outside of Florissant, received an F rating from the bureau due to five registered complaints, which did not have any responses from owner Bruce Pettis. In addition, the business received complaints from three residents in Berkeley affected by the .

Bureau inspector Bill Smith said that the complaints came within a two-week period, which raised suspicions. Smith said he advised Pettis to respond to the complaints, which he failed to do.

Therefore, due to the pattern of complaints, the large amounts of money involved in the complaints—more than $10,000—and his unwillingness to respond, Smith said Pettis received an F rating.

According to a release from the bureau, “a Berkeley building inspector who inspected Pettis’ work on three storm-damaged homes on Blanchard Drive described the quality as so amateurish as to be ‘unbelievable.’”

It’s not the first time that Pettis has received complaints against his business, which has been operational off and on for years, Smith said.

Smith said that in 2004, the bureau received two complaints regarding “shoddy work” done by the contractor. The following year, Pettis ran into legal problems, including suspension of license, possession of controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to jail until 2010, according to Casenet.

In 2010, he registered his business with the Secretary of State's office as a new business.

On KSDK, reporters caught up with Berkeley resident Joyce Stewart who said she paid Pettis $17,200 from her insurance claim for an incomplete job done by Pettis’ company. She continued to say she had to hire another contractor to finish the job, which was paid out of pocket.

Smith said that the City of Berkeley will pursue legal action with six citations filed against Pettis’ company.

Since the BBB is a nonprofit, at this time, there’s no law enforcement of the business possible at this point.

Smith clarified that if Pettis would respond to the complaints against him, the F grade would be removed, and the bureau would re-evaluate it.

Messages left with Pettis were not returned to Florissant Patch.

The St. Louis BBB gives a few tips to residents if they’re looking to select a contractor:

• Don’t make a hasty decision. Take time to ensure the business is local and has a track record of reliable workmanship. Visit www.bbb.org or call 314-645-3300 for a BBB Business Review, which includes the company’s BBB rating (A+ plus to F) along with the complaint history and company contact information.
• Ask the company for references and call those property owners. Ask them if the jobs were performed as agreed upon and whether they were satisfied with the results.
• Check to see if the contractor has all required licenses and insurance and ask your city whether they have had experience with the business.
• Ask for a written contract and read it to ensure that everything discussed is included. Make sure it includes all details of the job and when and how payments are to be made.
• Do not make all payments in advance. Suggest a payment plan that would include one-third of the money in advance, one-third once work is underway and the final third when work is completed to your satisfaction.