ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Contractor dilema

My neighbor is the typical little old lady who gets hosed by everyone.
She has a detached shed with a receptacle that runs her well. Something went wrong while I was on vacation and she called a EC here. Long story short, he charged her $2000 for 60' of buried PVC, wire, a box and a receptacle. I know he has to make a living but this isn't drilling rock, it is sand.

To make matters worse it is a hack job, done without a permit and there is no way an inspector would pass it if it was.
Pipe bent cold and kinked, running across the slab in front of the doorway to the shed a couple inches off the ground, transitioned to MC, slathered in duct seal and I haven't really looked inside yet.
My delima. Should I simply call Lee County permitting and report "unpermitted activity" (as I am really supposed to do as a licensed inspector) or should I get in a pissing match with this contractor?

I already know he has a pretty bad rep. My favorite builder just said "yuck" when I mentioned his name.

As long as you can stick to the issue of the second paragraph, I think that a report from a fellow inspector would have some clout.
If no inspector would approve the install, then he'll have to fix it, right?
At least the lady will have a safe home.

I'd vote for turning this guy in. You have a responsibility here that is mandated by law and you can do so with a clear conscience.

The victim in question should be given the phone number of your state's attorney general or coontractor licensing board, there must be some law being broken here.

She should pull a permit and have the work inspected. As far as getting good contractors, she should ask her friends and neighbors.

Dave

I think a formal complaint should be filed.

File complaint with FL licensing issues here

Take note of the red text for local licensing complaints.

Roger



[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 08-14-2005).]

Greg,

You might also contact the local or state licensing board. Here in NJ if you do work without a permit it could be up to $2000 fine. Our Lic. board requires us to get a permit for almost everything we do.

Caper

Been there done that.
Have her contact the local inspector. based on the red tag she should then contact the State Attny Generals office. Most states are big on fraud against older home owners.
They vote.
Local inspector if provided with documentation i.e. invoice and copy of the check used for payment, depending on license laws can go after the installer. Findings from that can be used by the state in the fraud charge.
Owner can get money back and hire it done right.
Installer can get fines and establish record of poor work.
Worse case scenerio: Owner is still reponsible to fix the defects if the installer disappears.
Alan--Inspector.

As long as this type of work ( hack job) is allowed to continue you will have to keep putting up with it ! If everyone would do their part in shutting down these hacks and handymen our profession would not be as cut throat. Do the right thing REPORT IT .

One of the main things about procuring a licence is that its essentially a waiver allowing 3rd party jurisdiction (the state) over your business activities and its a contract (saying you will pull a permit) and agreeing to a certain standard of work. Obviously the standard hasnt been met, the state has authority, he should be held acountable for hosing little old ladies.

[This message has been edited by sberry27 (edited 08-14-2005).]

[This message has been edited by sberry27 (edited 08-14-2005).]