Contact: Michelle L. Corey at 314-645-3300 or mcorey@stlouisbbb.org or Chris Thetford at 314-645-3300 or communications@stlouisbbb.org
St. Louis
, Mo., September 14, 2009 – More than a dozen contractors and suppliers have donated labor and materials to complete a sunroom for an Overland woman who lost thousands of dollars to an unlicensed contractor who was ordered to stop work earlier this year.
The American Subcontractors Association’s Midwest Council (ASA) stepped in to coordinate the work after Overland officials issued a stop-work order and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning about Jeffrey A. Wolfson and his company, Home Centers America of 561 Fieldmount Drive in Overland.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a motion for criminal and civil contempt against Wolfson on July 19.
The homeowner, Carol Bernstein, said she agreed to let Wolfson build the addition in September 2008, but the work was poorly done from the beginning, and there were many delays. Her son said Mrs. Bernstein paid Wolfson at least $17,300.
Overland officials issued a stop-work order in May after they found problems with the uncompleted addition.
Jim Compton, a roofer in Overland and former BBB board member, said he asked the ASA to help after hearing of Mrs. Bernstein’s problems. He said the response has been overwhelming, with 15 to 20 companies donating labor, materials or money for the project.
Compton said the new group of contractors had to demolish the work that had already been done, including digging up the foundation and repouring it. The ASA group expects to complete the project by October.
John Shea, president of Callier, Thompson, Shea Construction & Design Co., has provided construction management for the project. The Roofing & Siding Contractors Alliance also has helped with the project, said Reba Gillick, executive director of the ASA Midwest Council office in Union, Mo.
“The BBB is pleased that Mrs. Bernstein’s predicament has been recognized and rectified,” said Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO of the BBB in St. Louis. “We thank the companies and individuals who have donated their time, materials and money to complete the work.”
Wolfson, 61, who has addresses in Overland and Lebanon, Mo., has a history of problems with authorities stemming from his contracting business.
In 1999, a St. Louis Circuit Court judge barred Wolfson “from ever owning or having any supervisory role in a home remodeling business.” The ban came after numerous complaints to the BBB and an investigation by the Missouri Attorney General’s office into complaints that Wolfson had misled customers and did substandard work.
In August 2000, Wolfson was sent to prison for five years for violating terms of his probation. He had returned to contracting work and failed to make more than $6,600 in restitution.
Mrs. Bernstein said she is looking forward to sitting in her new sunroom before winter sets in. “I’m really happy about it,” she said.
Homeowners can obtain free Reliability Reports on businesses online at www.bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.
About the BBB
The BBB is a non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. The BBB provides objective advice, free business Reliability Reports, charity wise-giving reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information.
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