North Jersey Home Pros, Montclair, NJ - terrible construction work experience

# 2 for October 30, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on October 29, 2003:

From:

RE: North Jersey Home Pros, Montclair, NJ - terrible construction work experience

I had checked up on NORTH JERSEY HOME PROS, located at 41 Glen Ridge Avenue in Montclair, NJ and they checked out.

Could not find any complaints thru the BBB or Chamber of Commerce and the company was deemed reputable, so I signed a contract for extensive work to be done on the upstairs apartment, downstairs one and sidewalks and driveway to enable me to rent it out because I need the income to keep from losing the house. JEFF FORMICA, the president and owner of NORTH JERSEY HOME PROS, came to my house and promised me the world for a truly fair price so he could gain a good reputation in this area.

Work started two days before the contracted finish date of June 1, 2003. They did slipshod work leaving the painting unfinished and destroying the pristine wood floors by not using throws to cover the floors while they painted.

Mr. Formica called me after work had begun and said he couldn't do the work for the specified price and I'd have to give him more money. I reminded him of what he said about doing job for less and he backed down.

The workers only worked 3 1/2 to 4 hours each day for a total of about 21 days scattered throughout a total of 90. They'd disappear for a couple of weeks then show up and do some piddly things, never addressing the major stuff. All the work done so far has to be redone. A lawsuit would only delay the work further. I've reported the case to NJ Consumer Affairs but they only have limited power.

There's always Small Claims Court, but there's a limit of $15,000 at the Special Parts level. My expenses and loss of rent far exceed that. All of the workers who came here complained bitterly about not being paid.

Linda G. Amthauer

Somerville, NJ