Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110118
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Unfortunately, he didn't have a contractor's license. But the people who hired him didn't know that.
A prosecutor says Cusack also got large advances for work that was never finished and, in some cases, never started.
A Bedford County grand jury has indicted Cusack, 40, on two felony counts of fraud. He goes to trial May 30.
Cusack, of Rocky Mount, earlier was convicted in Bedford County General District Court of operating as a contractor without a license, a misdemeanor.
Bedford County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Krantz said Cusack took on construction and remodeling jobs last year for two families in Moneta. For one, he received a $2,200 advance. That job never was started, Krantz said.
For the other, which included building an addition to a house, Cusack received more than $20,000 in advances and $10,000 for building supplies. He did about three-fourths of the work and never finished, Krantz said.
Under Virginia law, if a homeowner gives a remodeler written notice, the remodeler has 15 days to complete the project or refund the homeowner's money. Krantz said the homeowners gave written notice, and Cusack put them off longer than 15 days.
However, their bad luck may provide a lesson to others hiring builders.
The Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association publishes brochures to help people select contractors and avoid problems like those in Moneta.
"We encourage people to check [contractors'] references," said Melody Williams, the association's executive vice president. If contractors can't provide references, think twice before hiring them, she said.
The home builders' association also suggests checking to see if the builder is a member of the group, and checking with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
Make sure the builder has insurance to cover damages or personal injury, the association says, and get everything in writing. Draft a detailed contract outlining what work will be performed and how payments will be made.
Never pay for the entire job in advance, the association warns, and never sign a completion certificate before the job is finished to your satisfaction. If you can't verify a builder's phone number or address, you may want to hire someone else.
Beware of high-pressure sales tactics, the association warns, and always make sure the contractor has the proper licensing. In Virginia, a builder is required to have a contractor's license. To check, call the State Board for Contractors in Richmond at (804)367-2025.
by CNB