Multiple contractors allegedly have violated New Jersey consumer laws and will be forced to pay thousands in restitution to New Jersey consumers, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said Monday.
Thirty-five contractors will be forced to pay approximately $567,676 in restitution to consumers in New Jerseys after it was found they violated consumer laws in the fourth quarter of 2014. This crackdown comes as the Division of Consumer Affairs has worked hard to take action against contractors that do not fulfill the services they offer. In 2014, the division cited approximately 130 contractors and are seeking over $2.1 million in restitution.
“Our yearlong 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,” Hoffman said. “Home improvement projects are among the most expensive and stressful expenses a homeowner is likely to take on. We will continue to aggressively police the home improvement marketplace – and require contractors to comply with the law – throughout the coming year as well.”
The contractors will be forced to pay $1,500 to $68,405 a piece, depending on the project they were allegedly paid for up front but failed to complete. The alleged violations go against the New Jersey’s Contractor’s Registration Act.