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.

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N.J. cites 12 local builders for fines