Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a lawsuit against Brothers All Around Service, LLC and its owner, John McDonald, alleging that the Allegheny County home improvement company used illegal contracts and failed to complete jobs or provide refunds.
The Office of Attorney General recently filed suit following complaints from several consumers who paid Brothers large upfront sums for jobs that were not completed. In some cases, Brothers did not issue refunds and avoided consumer phone calls.
According to the lawsuit, Brothers’ contracts were not in compliance with the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law or the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA).
“This home improvement company demanded, and took, large upfront payments from customers, then failed to complete the work and had the audacity to actively avoid consumers who called for status updates,” Attorney General Henry said. “My office will continue to champion for consumers who are victimized by shady home improvement contractors that skirt the law.”
Many consumers who contracted with Brothers paid large amounts of money up front for room remodels or other major home improvement projects. Most consumers were left with the work unfinished and had to hire separate contractors to finish the jobs — and in some cases, repair the work started by Brothers.
In some cases, consumers had their phone numbers blocked by Brothers and were unable to obtain any updates on the status of their home improvement projects.
The lawsuit asks that the court declare Brothers All Around Service and McDonald in violation of the Consumer Protection Law and HICPA; require they pay restitution to any impacted consumers; and prevent Brothers All Around Service and McDonald from registering as home improvement contractors going forward.
This lawsuit was filed by Deputy Attorney General Francesca Miller-Surman in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.