COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said this week his office has filed lawsuits seeking restitution for consumers harmed by two home services companies.
The companies are IX Creations of Columbus and its owner/operator George Ellish Jr., and Roger Conrad Jr., doing business as C&R Concrete, based in Sugar Grove.
"Suppliers of goods and services have to deliver to customers -- not only is it the right thing to do, it's the law," DeWine said in a statement Monday.
IX Creations offers services such as basement remodeling, roofing repair and fence installation.
The six-page complaint filed in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court Friday alleges that the company failed to perform promised work, performed shoddy or incomplete work or failed to provide consumers with necessary information, such as a written date of estimated completion, a list of materials to be used and the amount charged for labor.
Consumer complaints received by both DeWine's office and the Better Business Bureau total losses in excess of $18,000.
The attorney general's suit seeks restitution for consumers harmed by IX Creations, penalties and injunctive relief.
The second company, C&R Concrete, specializes in providing concrete patios and driveways and the repair of concrete walls.
Consumers complain that C&R's concrete work is uneven, unprofessional and that the concrete cracked soon after installation.
Also, after consumers complained to the company, Conrad allegedly never returned to provide repairs.
The list of losses stands in excess of $40,000, DeWine's office said.
The attorney general's seven-page complaint, also filed Friday but in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court, seeks reimbursement for consumers damaged by the company, injunctive relief and penalties.
Pointing to the two lawsuits, DeWine said consumers should receive certain information from a home improvement contractor before work begins, including:
- A complete description of the work to be done, timeframe, and the materials to be used;
- A provision requiring written approval for any changes;
- A written statement including the contractor's oral promises and all guarantees or warranties;
- A provision stating the total cost for the work and the specific terms for payment of materials and labor; and
- A requirement for the contractor to obtain all necessary permits and inspections.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.
DeWine sues home services companies for shoddy work
