PHILADELPHIA – A local construction company’s former client has sued it for alleged violations of consumer protection laws, connected to home repair work it was slated to perform for the plaintiff earlier this year.
Syreeta McDonald of Philadelphia filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 22 versus two locations of Pro-Home Renovators, Inc., of both Philadelphia and Levittown.
According to the lawsuit, McDonald contracted with the defendants on Aug. 3 to perform construction projects at a property of hers on the 1800 block of North Croskey Street in Philadelphia, in exchange for a final price of $46,000. This involved removing all rear debris, preparing and installing grass seed in the rear yard and removing a middle room closet to allow for a larger bathroom.
In addition, the work involved installing the following new features: Tub with diverter; cement board on walls surrounding the shower/tub; comfort height toilet; sink base; counter top, sink, and faucet; mirror medicine cabinet with sink base; light over medicine cabinet; shutoff valves to all fixtures (toilet, tub, and sink); s/p-traps on sink and tub fixtures; basement window and security bars; concrete slabs on the front walkway; whitewash paint on basement walls; basement door; heating and central air conditioning unit; correct handrails on staircase and a separate flute location for hot water.
On Aug. 3, McDonald paid the defendants a $20,000 deposit, along with an additional $13,300 later that month, bringing the total amount paid to $33,300, the suit says. However, McDonald alleges the defendants’ work was negligent, subpar and dangerous, necessitating replacement and repair in excess of the purchase price of $46,000.
The plaintiff contends the defendants abandoned and failed to perform the work, deviated from or disregarded plans or specifications; offered to perform a home improvement and not intending to complete the home improvement and demanded a deposit in excess of one-third of the home improvement contract price.
For counts of breach of contract and warranty, plus the aforementioned violations of Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the plaintiff is seeking damages up to three times the amount of actual damages and totaling not less than $100,000, plus attorney’s fees, interest and costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Anthony Giletto of Kraemer Manes & Associates, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 171102317
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com