(AKRON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit seeking consumer restitution and other relief from a Northeast Ohio home improvement contractor accused of failing to deliver promised services to consumers.
The lawsuit, filed in the Summit County Common Pleas Court, accuses Dean Jones of Westlake, doing business as Premier Contractor Services, of committing multiple violations of Ohio’s consumer protection laws.
“Consumers signed over their insurance checks or made substantial down payments to this contractor but never received the services they were promised,” Attorney General DeWine said. “It’s our job to take action when a home repair contractor breaks the law and refuses to work with us or with consumers to resolve the problem.”
The Attorney General’s Office has received three complaints against Premier Contractor Services with total damages approaching $38,000.
Northeast Ohio consumers said they paid Premier for home repair, remodeling, and room construction services, but that the business failed to deliver the services and failed to provide refunds. In some cases, consumers had to incur additional costs to complete the contracted work.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit charges Dean Jones, doing business as Premier Contractor Services, with failing to deliver, violating the Deposits Rule, and violating the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
To protect themselves before entering into a home improvement contract, consumers should:
- Research a business with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau to review complaints or enforcement actions against the business. Consumers also should do a basic Internet search with the name of the company and words like “complaints” or “reviews” to find additional information.
- Check registration with the Ohio Secretary of State. Most businesses operating in Ohio must register with the Secretary of State.
- Get everything in writing. If a verbal promise is not put in writing, it is not guaranteed.
- Be skeptical of requests for large down payments, such as paying half of the total cost before any work is performed. Try to pay no more than one-third in advance and withhold the final payment until the work is complete.
Consumers who suspect an unfair business should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Lawsuit (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840