Court hammers local home repair business

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon March 18 obtained a court-approved consent judgment against a Springfield business that failed to complete home repair services after accepting deposits.
The Greene County Circuit Court judgment orders American Modern Exteriors to pay restitution to seven customers totaling $10,539, pay a civil penalty of $3,000 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund and pay all court costs.
In the suit, filed in May 2004, Nixon alleged that the company misrepresented its services to customers, telling them that their home repair services would be completed by a particular date, telling customers they would receive refunds and promising that home repair services would be provided.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office revoked American Modern Exteriors’ business license Nov. 7, 2002, for failure to file a correct annual report. The company, registered by agent Michael B. Gillette, incorporated March 2, 2001, installing residential siding, windows and roofing.
“Anyone contemplating any type of home repair fraud needs to know right now that we are serious in enforcing our consumer protection laws,” Nixon said in a news release. “When Missourians pay for services, they expect to receive them. If they do not, we will enforce Missouri’s consumer protection provisions with the full force of the law.”
Home repair fraud is consistently one of the top complaints to the Attorney General’s office, according to Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. Nixon urges consumers to follow a few simple rules before hiring a contractor: ask for several written estimates from local firms; ask for references, then call them; get all guarantees in writing; don’t pay more than one-third of the total price for a down payment; consider writing a check directly to the supplier if a contractor asks for an advance on supplies.