Long Islanders share contractor horror stories as expert offers tips to avoid similar problems
The homeowners said they hired Gurpreet Singh, who also goes by Harry, through his company BuildRite Pro.
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What begins as a dream home renovation can quickly become a costly nightmare if homeowners hire the wrong contractor.
Three Long Islanders recently told News 12 they lost tens of thousands of dollars after hiring a Mount Sinai contractor they say performed incomplete and substandard work before disappearing.
The homeowners said they hired Gurpreet Singh, who also goes by Harry, through his company BuildRite Pro. According to the customers, Singh accepted large cash payments, started work on their homes and then stopped responding before the projects were completed.
"They come in quick and tear your house apart. But then you don't see them no more," said West Babylon homeowner Monon Brown.
Another customer, Elaine Robles, said the unfinished work left her home in disarray.
"I have bare walls, just studs all over the place, pipes hanging, wires hanging and nothing's done," Robles said.
The complaints highlight what consumer advocates say is a common scenario.
"You want to be able to trust whoever it is you're bringing into your home to do the work," said Claire Rosenzweig, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Metro New York.
Rosenzweig advises homeowners to be cautious of contractors who insist on cash-only payments and to avoid rushing into agreements with the first contractor they meet.
"Do your research. Get multiple estimates. Be absolutely sure that whoever you're hiring is licensed and insured in your local area," she said.
Consumer experts also recommend reading online reviews, checking references and verifying whether a company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
According to the BBB, BuildRite Pro is not accredited. News 12 also found that one of Singh's former companies, Bawa Construction, holds an F rating with the organization.
Additional red flags emerged during News 12's investigation. Singh's name appears on Suffolk County's Contractor Wall of Shame, where county officials list contractors cited for violations. The county says Singh was operating without a valid plumber's license.
News 12 also discovered that Singh was arrested in Nassau County in 2013 on allegations that he was doing business without a license. According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, he still has an active bench warrant.
When contacted by text message, Singh denied abandoning his customers. He said he had been hospitalized and had not intentionally stopped communicating with clients. Singh also stated that customers requested refunds, but the money had already been spent.
One customer, Marlene, said repeated attempts to reach him went unanswered.
"I kept on calling Harry day, night, afternoon and Harry was not responding," she said.
Consumer advocates say homeowners can protect themselves by confirming that contractors are properly licensed and insured through their local county or municipal agencies before any work begins.
