Saturday, June 25, 2011

Unlicensed contractor squeezes homeowner


From Eyewitness News:

Helene Escava has had her own home for nearly a year, so why has she been living in a hotel room?

It is all because of Frank Rodriquez of Bonanza Contracting. Helene hired him to turn her newly purchased Queens property into her dream house. In November 2009, she signed a contract to have a gut renovation on all floors. The work estimated to take a year and cost $380,000.

Seven months beyond the completion date and $400,000 later, Helene stands in the middle of what she calls, hell.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The builder probably took a kickback from recommended Bonanza. Still, the fault is with Ms Escava for not checking out the contractor.

And for continuing to give money upfront for materials, that is a big no no. I bet she didn't even have a contract, unreal. What a mess! Makes you wonder if being a homeowner is actually worth it......

Anonymous said...

Why would a Queens homeowner hire a contractor from Staten Island? that having been said this lady lives in Brooklyn and not in Queens according to the white pages.

District Attorney has more important things to do, she is going to have to get a lawyer to sue and recover as much as she can, but it's going to be costly, best thing would be a settlement in my opinion, no way is she ever going to get all of her monies back.

Anonymous said...

Poor woman. A licensed contractor can screw you over too, and the DCA doesn't update their database frequently enough. Their site doesn't list individuals or businesses that had their licenses revoked, though you might find out if you call.

The work looks shoddy too. It might have probably been cheaper and faster for her to demolish and build new than renovate.

Suing the scum is throwing more money away. Hopefully the publicity will help her with a settlement.

Anonymous said...

Maspeth Mom says....

You can never tell with contractors they are sales people, they sell the job.

I was screwed over by Estia Construction who has advertised in Ledger for a long time and came recommmended by a friend.
He failed to complete the work, and what he did was shoddy, crooked and needed to be repaired by another contrator.

I did my due diligence and still got raked over!!!

Cav said...

Seems a strange thing to do to spend that much on renovations in the first place. $380,000 seems alot for a renovation. Not too sure what the cost would be but it almost as much as to have the old house demolished and a whole new house built.
If I had that much for renovations, I'd rather sell the old house then with the proceeds from the sale plus the $380k just buy a dream house already set up.

Still, I hope it turns out well for her.

Anonymous said...

Maspeth Mom says..

To Cav... like they said she got rippped off... being ignorant does not allow someone to rob you .. if she got what she paid for and
over-paid thats different story...but she didnt get what she paid for...

Anonymous said...

I'd be mighty suspicious of a company named Bonanza!

Caveat emptor homeowner!

Anonymous said...

bonanza contracting is now using the name stucco stone n pavers n transition ssp this guy frank is a real piece of s--- he is jerking me right now i wish this lady gets help no 1 deserves this frank n his father sal r lying dogs there placeing flyers in mailboxes in brooklyn can some 1 stop these ass-----

Anonymous said...

This is a pure shame. Someone should stop him before he does more damage. He's now operating as Transition Stucco Stone and Pavers and Stucco Stone and Pavers. Check out his website stuccostonepavers.com

Anonymous said...

Bonanza is placing flyers in mailboxes. Watch out! Don't get screwed like poor Helana.

Anonymous said...

Frank how can you live with yourself. Don't you belive in karma.

Anonymous said...

what a scumbag. watch out frank, better sleep with one eye opened, you'll soon get your just deserves.

Anonymous said...

to all blaming Helena, let me tell you how frank operates. claims he short on funds and in order to finish the job you need to pay earlier. if you don't he then threatens to put a lien on your house and even get his suppliers to do so. he's the lowest of scum. he'll even make his wanna be father make an appearance and the show they put on. frank you're the lowest of all scum. hopefully the next time you're in the news is the day you get a beaten or the day the law finally catches up with you.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, I am Helene E. Read all your blogs. I hope Frank gets what's coming to him, I am currently working on a lawsuit with my attorney.

Contractor CE said...

Hi to all! Well first of all Ms. Helene Escava should have a background check on Mr. Frank Rodriquez of Bonanza Contracting. After reading all other comments, Anonymous#2 said, "Why would a Queens homeowner hire a contractor from Staten Island? that having been said this lady lives in Brooklyn and not in Queens according to the white pages." Why did she by the way?