Shady home-improvement contractors were hammered in a five-week city and suburban law-enforcement sweep that resulted in charges against more than 700.
In one Nassau County case, contractor James Nichols, of Rosedale, Queens, was accused of taking $47,500 from a homeowner to build a second-floor extension and never doing any of the work, authorities said yesterday.
Another Nassau homeowner was scammed out of $50,000 by contractor Rich Martinetti, of East Northport, LI, who faces grand-larceny charges, authorities said.
Martinetti allegedly promised to build a home-theater system – but did only “minor” work and never returned any of the money.
In another egregious case, a Bronx woman paid $33,000 up front for $40,000 worth of home improvements – only to have the contractor walk off with the cash.
During the sweep, city Department of Consumer Affairs inspectors issued 400 violations in the five boroughs, and seized 93 vehicles owned by unlicensed contractors.
Nassau officials charged 51 contractors with operating without licenses.
Westchester probers found 98 unlicensed contracting companies.
The classic home-improvement scam is simple: Contractors ask customers for all the money up front and then never do the work, said city Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz.
“Never pay it all up front,” he urged homeowners. “And get a contract.”
City residents can easily avoid most trouble with contractors, Mintz said: “Make sure they are licensed. It couldn’t be easier – call 311, or check our Web site,” nyc.gov/consumers.
Home-improvement contractors in the city are required to pass an exam and carry performance bonds. Westchester and Nassau counties have similar requirements.
“Chances are if they’re not getting licensed, it’s for a reason – either they are incompetent or they have had trouble in the past,” said Roger Bogstead, Nassau’s commissioner of consumer affairs.