May, my wife & I decided to have an addition built onto our house. We called several contractors & referrals given to us by our neighbors whom also had additions built.
After having several estimates submitted to us, my wife and I checked the references, MHIC licenses, The Better Business Bureau, and called past customers that work was performed, we selected American Restoration Services, Inc., MHIC # 83128, the name of the person was Jim Dickerson, who came by our house and spoke to us about what we required for the addition to the house. Mr. Dickerson came back in June, with the HVAC person, and an electician to discuss our addition.
In July, Mr. Jim Dickerson sent my wife a contract to sign with a requirement of 20% deposit to start work. Mr. Dickerson came back in July to our house to sign the contract and get the depost check of $20,00.00 (BTW: check was cashed that afternoon). We signed the contract and gave him the deposit check for $20,000.00.
My wife & I thought that all was well until my wife called him the week of August 30 for a status and left several phone messages for him to call us. Mr. Dickerson called back the week of Sept. 15 and informed us that the Howard County Permits were being mailed to him before work could start.
Being cautious, I contacted the Howard County Permits Office to see if any permits were issued for our address and was informed that NONE were requested. I then called Mr. Dickerson on Sept. 20, Sept. 21, Sept. 22 and left messages for him to please call us. We never got a phone call back from him. Soon after this, his phone was disconnected and was Mr. Dickerson was un-reachable. Mr. Dickerson also vacated his office on 5201 Raynor Ave, in Linthicam, MD.
My wife now realizing that Mr. Dickerson was not reachable, contacted the MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) to file the COMPLAINT FORM for a formal hearing concerning the NON-PERFORMANCE OF WORK after having taken our deposit of $20,000.00.
After numerous attempts by the MHIC to contact Mr. Dickerson to appear before the MHIC, Mr. Dickerson never showed up, so the MHIC had to reimburse my wife the maximum amount for the NON-PERFORMANCE OF WORK, being licensed by the MHIC. Although this was not enough to cover our losses, we at least got something back after waiting more than two years. This case is a matter of public record, so you require any additional information concerning American Restoration Services, Inc. Or Mr. Jim Dickerson, you can contact the Maryland District Attorney's office (410-230-6136) and request information.
You hear alot about people being ripped-off by unscrupolous contractors and try to DO ALL THE RIGHT steps before hiring a contractor. My wife did all the right steps before hiring this contractor. This person, Jim Dickerson is still now in business, performing contractor work for Lowe's or Home Depot, probrably under another company name. If you ever see a truck with the name of 'American Restoration Sercices' pull up, or speak to person named Jim/James Dickerson, I would not have them perform any work, no matter who sent them.
I hope this will keep the trusting persons from being ripped-off by these unscruplous contractors and not affect the real honest hard working contractors.
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