Regional News of Friday, 18 July 2014

Source: GNA

The Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), has reached a gentlemans agreement with the contractor and consultant working on the Regional Library Complex to use two rooms there, while work progressed.

The agreement followed a rainstorm in June this year, which partially ripped off the roofs of the current office building, necessitating the evacuation of some books, piles of newspapers and other materials.

Mr. Alikem rpt Alikem Tamakloe, Volta Regional Director of the GLA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Thursday that, in the circumstances and the likelihood of successive thunderstorms, I had to strike the deal with the contractors.

He said no staff was re-located to the complex, some 400 metres away from the current office in Ho.

Staff only go there (uncompleted complex) to pick books and other materials when needed, Mr Tamakloe stated.

He said the Library Complex, initiated in 2003, was between 70 and 78 per cent complete.

Mr. Tamakloe said work left to be done, include tiling, ceiling, painting and landscaping.

He said, the complex when completed, would have two adult sections, two kids sections, rare collection department, conference and lecture rooms and an event hall.

Original post:
Volta Library and Contractors strike deal on unfinished complex

Clearly, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has never attempted to undertake renovations of any sort.

The proof? Yesterday he held a press conference to announce that in an audit of contracts the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) handed out in the wake of Hurricane Sandy discoveredthat the agency had doled out $19.9 million in funds- and at least $30,000 had been wasted. If these numbers are accurate, the DHS deserves not to be chastised they deserve a medal.

Having undertaken numerous renovations in New York City, there may be no more dishonest industry. I have had contractors disappear mid-job for weeks on end, painting crew chiefs who claim to have 3 kids born in 5 months and the millworker who seemingly contracted the worst continual food poisoning known to man. Naturally, they leave tools all over and never miss the chance to be paid and if you dont like it, then what? And of course, one needs to pay someone to watch over the kleptomaniacs and alcoholics in the crew also.

While NYC Comptroller Stringer says that the city should have adequate safeguards in place to oversee contractors, Id venture that is an impossibility for the private or public sector. Mr. Stringers report says that DHS did not produce diaries, logs, observation notes, etc. Anyone who ever tries asking for logs or notes better prepare for week-long delays. Mr. Comptroller:It just aint possible.

If Mr. Stringers assessments are correctthat $30K was fleeced on $20 Million in construction, the people at DHS responsible better polish their resumes and apply for jobs with Related CompaniesandVornado and the other developers inthis city who surely get fleeced much more egregiouslyon a daily basis.

As one who has thrown contractors out for lying, stealing and cheating, its justa bad game of Russian Roulette as a new crook walks in the door. Theres nothing anyone can do about it. Perhaps in the midst of this hot New York summer, we have finally found the unifying issue around whichthe 1%ers and this very progressive administration can rallyaround after dealing with the all important Central Park horses regulating contractors.

If the contractors had not been paid, this city would still be dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Even in the tough city of New York, being ripped off is just part of doing renovations.

Ronn Torossianis a Public Relations executive who hates renovating.

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Department of Homeless Services Is Ripped Off for Just $30,000 Nice Job, Guys!

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs on Wednesday cited 68 home improvement contractors, including 12 from Bergen and Passaic counties, for $1.3 million in penalties and consumer compensation for violations of consumer protection laws, according to a release by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

All of the contractors also were cited for violations of New Jersey's Contractor's Registration Act. Such violations include failure to provide consumers with detailed written contracts for projects costing more than $500.

"With this action we are demanding more than $1 million in restitution for consumers who paid for work that allegedly was never finished," acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in the release. "We also are giving these contractors the opportunity to come into compliance with the law, and reminding New Jersey consumers to protect themselves by conducting basic research before hiring a contractor."

The 12 North Jersey contractors cited are A1 Safeguard LLC in Pompton Plains; Air Force One N.J. LLC in Oak Ridge; Do It Right Chimney in Wayne; Durango Travertine Limited Liability Co. in Ridgefield; Flash Painting Inc. in Paterson; Home Care in Oakland; Medina Floors and Construction Inc. in Palisades Park; Mountain Top Maintenance in Haledon; A&E Improvements LLC in North Bergen; Accomplished Chimney Inc. in North Haledon; Agnello Construction LLC in Mahwah; and Keith's Contracting in North Haledon.

Of the 68 companies cited, 44 were penalized for operating without being registered as home improvement contractors in New Jersey.

In 2013, the Division of Consumer Affairs received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors. It was the largest consumer complaint category last year.

New Jersey law requires that all individuals or businesses who either solicit or perform home improvement work or both must obtain registration from the Division of Consumer Affairs. The registration application requires demonstration that the contractor has a legitimate street address and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

For home improvement projects costing more than $500, the contractor must provide the consumer with a written contract with specific, detailed information, including the project's agreed-upon price; the starting and ending dates; the scope of work; the contractor's business name, address and registration number, and other required information.

Each of the contractors receiving a notice of violation has the opportunity to contest the assertion that he or she has violated the law.

Violators of the Contractors' Registration Act are subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation, and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations.

See the original post here:
N.J. cites 12 local builders for fines

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs on Wednesday cited 68 home improvement contractors, including 12 from Bergen and Passaic counties, for $1.3 million in penalties and consumer compensation for violations of consumer protection laws, according to a release by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

All of the contractors also were cited for violations of New Jersey's Contractor's Registration Act. Such violations include failure to provide consumers with detailed written contracts for projects costing more than $500.

"With this action we are demanding more than $1 million in restitution for consumers who paid for work that allegedly was never finished," acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in the release. "We also are giving these contractors the opportunity to come into compliance with the law, and reminding New Jersey consumers to protect themselves by conducting basic research before hiring a contractor."

The 12 North Jersey contractors cited are A1 Safeguard LLC in Pompton Plains; Air Force One N.J. LLC in Oak Ridge; Do It Right Chimney in Wayne; Durango Travertine Limited Liability Co. in Ridgefield; Flash Painting Inc. in Paterson; Home Care in Oakland; Medina Floors and Construction Inc. in Palisades Park; Mountain Top Maintenance in Haledon; A&E Improvements LLC in North Bergen; Accomplished Chimney Inc. in North Haledon; Agnello Construction LLC in Mahwah; and Keith's Contracting in North Haledon.

Of the 68 companies cited, 44 were penalized for operating without being registered as home improvement contractors in New Jersey.

In 2013, the Division of Consumer Affairs received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors. It was the largest consumer complaint category last year.

New Jersey law requires that all individuals or businesses who either solicit or perform home improvement work or both must obtain registration from the Division of Consumer Affairs. The registration application requires demonstration that the contractor has a legitimate street address and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

For home improvement projects costing more than $500, the contractor must provide the consumer with a written contract with specific, detailed information, including the project's agreed-upon price; the starting and ending dates; the scope of work; the contractor's business name, address and registration number, and other required information.

Each of the contractors receiving a notice of violation has the opportunity to contest the assertion that he or she has violated the law.

Violators of the Contractors' Registration Act are subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation, and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations.

Here is the original post:
N.J. cites 12 North Jersey builders, 56 others for fines

Kirkland, Washington (PRWEB) July 17, 2014

Washington Commercial Painters, (WCP) a Seattle area-based painting contractor, was the recent recipient of an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. for their extraordinary transformation of the 90,000 square foot Seattle Coast Guard facility.

The facility located on the Seattle waterfront at pier 36 was in desperate need of cleaning and restoration, with concerns about potential health risks to Coast Guard members due to the buildings condition. Built in 1943, the building is home to the Coast Guard's administrative offices, armory, and gym, and contains a soaring metal-trussed ceiling sloping upward to clerestory windows, portions of which had become covered with layers of dust and pigeon guano. Exacerbating WCPs task of cleaning and painting the facility were the presence of asbestos ceiling tiles, flaking lead paint on the steel trusses and siding, and maintaining a safe work environment for its own workers and the Coast Guard members occupying the building.

Washington Commercial Painters readily accepted the challenges of the project. Says Washington Commercial Painters founder John Noble, We were excited by the unique challenges of this job. We were confident our experience and commitment to safety would result in a clean and revitalized facility for Seattle Coast Guard.

To accomplish this complex job, WCP first created platforms to reach the upper portions of the building, and then encapsulated each area as a Class 1 and Class 2 hazardous zone. The containment was accomplished using 9 mm thick shrink wrap to seal the areas, and then negative air pressure was used to prevent the escape of any contaminate particles. Safety-suited WCP workers then broom cleaned the asbestos ceiling tiles and coated them with a multi-surface acrylic paint. To protect the ceiling tiles when sandblasting the nearby trusses, rigid cardboard sheets sealed with duct tape were used to cover the ceiling tiles to prevent their disruption.

To clean and rid the structure of the flaking hazardous lead paint, WCP sand blasted the areas using an additive to stabilize the lead paint to ensure its classification as non-hazardous waste. 176 tons of materials, along with 2,812 pieces of cardboard, were taken to a recycling facility during the project. The project took over 11 months and 11,225 man-hours to complete. In total, 3,275 gallons of new industrial surface acrylic coating were applied. Says John Nobles, We are very proud of the Excellence in Construction Award. Despite the challenges of the work environment and lengthy job, we were pleased to complete the project with a perfect safety record and deliver a bright, clean, and safe environment for the men and women of the Seattle Coast Guard.

About Washington Commercial Painters:

Based on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and commitment to service, Washington Commercial Painters provides quality painting services. As part of our organizational goal to be the key creator of quality environments in the United States, we partnered with Turman Commercial Painters and established Oregon Commercial Painters. Through these affiliations, our organization provides an array of first class commercial painting services across the Nation.

For more information see: http://www.wa-cp.com.

Original post:
Washington Commercial Painters Earn Excellence in Construction Award for Stunning Transformation of Seattle Coast ...

TRENTON, N.J. (WABC) --

"Home improvement disputes are consistently the number-one consumer complaint category the Division of Consumer Complaints receives year after year," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. "With this action we are demanding more than $1 million in restitution for consumers who paid for work that allegedly was never finished. We also are giving these contractors the opportunity to come into compliance with the law, and reminding New Jersey consumers to protect themselves by conducting basic research before hiring a contractor."

The Division has directed 62 of the contractors to pay a total of $1,046,978 in consumer restitution, in amounts ranging from as little as $378 to as much as $185,000, for allegedly failing to complete work that consumers had paid for in advance, failing to refund deposits, or other issues.

The Division has cited all 68 contractors for violations of New Jersey's Contractor's Registration Act, such as failure to provide consumers with detailed, written contracts for home improvement projects costing more than $500. In addition, 44 of the companies have also been cited for operating without being registered as home improvement contractors in New Jersey. The State has assessed a total of $276,250 in civil penalties against the 68 contractors, for a combined total assessment, including civil penalties and consumer restitution, of more than $1.3 million.

"When contractors fail to comply with the law, or the terms of their contracts, consumers can be left with costs in the tens of thousands of dollars and a house full of unfinished improvements," Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Steve Lee said. "Our registration laws help place consumers on equal footing with the contractors they hire, and help ensure that those contractors can be held accountable."

The Division of Consumer Affairs received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors in 2013, making that the largest consumer complaint category last year.

Tips for Consumers, When Hiring a Contractor:

To advertise and perform home improvement work legally in New Jersey, contractors must register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Registration materials and information are available at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/HIC/ .

Investigators Joseph Iasso, Jared O'Cone, Donna Leslie, Juan Odio, Michelle Davis, Cullen Church, and Michael Meola, led by Supervising Investigator Jen Micco of the Division of Consumer Affairs' Office of Consumer Protection, conducted these investigations.

Deputy attorneys general from the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section within the Division of Law represented the State in these actions.

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New Jersey issues citations to dozens of contractors

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Wednesday cited 68 home improvement contractors, including 12 from Bergen and Passaic counties, for $1.3 million in penalties and consumer compensation for violations of consumer protection laws, according to a release by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

All of the contractors also were cited for violations of New Jerseys Contractors Registration Act. Such violations include failure to provide consumers with detailed written contracts for projects costing more than $500.

With this action we are demanding more than $1 million in restitution for consumers who paid for work that allegedly was never finished, said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman in the release. We also are giving these contractors the opportunity to come into compliance with the law, and reminding New Jersey consumers to protect themselves by conducting basic research before hiring a contractor.

The 12 North Jersey contractors cited are: A1 Safeguard LLC in Pompton Plains; Air Force One N.J. LLC in Oak Ridge; Do It Right Chimney in Wayne; Durango Travertine Limited Liability Co. in Ridgefield; Flash Painting Inc. in Paterson; Home Care in Oakland; Medina Floors and Construction Inc. in Palisades Park; Mountain Top Maintenance in Haledon; A&E Improvements LLC in North Bergen; Accomplished Chimney Inc. in North Haledon; Agnello Construction LLC in Mahwah; and Keiths Contracting in North Haledon.

Of the 68 companies cited, 44 were penalized for operating without being registered as home improvement contractors in New Jersey.

In 2013, the Division of Consumer Affairs received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors. It was the largest consumer complaint category last year.

New Jersey law requires that all individuals or businesses who solicit and/or perform home improvement work must obtain registration from the Division of Consumer Affairs. The registration application requires demonstration that the contractor has a legitimate street address and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

For home improvement projects costing more than $500, the contractor must provide the consumer with a written contract with specific; detailed information including the projects agreed-upon price; the starting and ending dates; the scope of work; the contractors business name, address and registration number; and other required information.

Each of the contractors receiving a notice of violation has the opportunity to contest the assertion that he or she has violated the law.

Violators of the Contractors Registration Act are subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation, and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations.

Read the original post:
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs cites 68 contractors for $1.3 million in penalties

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