George Frisch, Owner of Dynabuild Construction Group, Inc., Barred From Operating Home Improvement Contracting Business In New York State Unless He Obtains Six-Figure Bond

Court Order Secures $63K In Restitution And Penalties And Allows Additional Consumers To File Claims

Consumers Potentially Victimized By Dynabuild Must File A Claim By 7/16/17

AG Schneiderman Offers Consumer Tips For Choosing A Home Improvement Contractor

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced that the New York State Supreme Court has ordered George Frisch, president of Dynabuild Construction Group, Inc., to pay restitution, costs, and penalties of at least $63,000 and banned him from owning or operating a home improvement business in New York State. Consumers who paid deposits to Dynabuild but did not have their job completed have until July 16, 2017 to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Rochester Regional Office.

Frisch was a Rochester-based home improvement contractor who contracted to perform home improvement services for consumers in the Rochester area. As Attorney General Schneiderman detailed in a lawsuit filed in December 2016, Frisch defrauded consumers by collecting full or partial payments from consumers for home improvement projects but failing to perform the agreed-upon work. The work that was performed was done in a shoddy and unprofessional manner. Eleven consumers lost over $50,000 in deposits and additional funds needed to repair poor workmanship left behind by Frisch.

“A home is often the most significant investment that consumers make, and hardworking New Yorkers should be able to repair and upgrade their homes without the fear of being scammed,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “I urge anyone who believes they’ve been victimized by Dynabuild Construction to reach out to my office by July 16, 2017.”

Consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by Dynabuild should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Help Line in the Rochester Regional Office at (585) 327-3240 or download a complaint form online at https://ag.NY.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/bureaus/consumer_fraud/rochester_complaint.pdf. In order to be eligible for restitution, complaint forms and supporting documents, such as a copy of the contract and canceled check, must be received on or before July, 16, 2017.

The order issued by New York Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Thomas Stander, bars Frisch from ever operating a Home Improvement business in New York unless he posts a $100,000 bond. The court also ordered Frisch to pay restitution for defrauded consumers, as well as costs and penalties.

When planning to use a home improvement contractor, Attorney General Schneiderman urges consumers to consider the following tips:

• Never agree to have work done on the spot, especially when potential contractors are marketing door-to-door.
• Determine exactly what you want done, then look for a qualified contractor.
• Shop around; get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials and services to be provided.
• Ask for references: check with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers, and neighbors.
• Always contact any references provided to you.
• Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed.
• Do not pay unreasonable advance sums; negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job.
• Never pay the full price up front.
• Remember that you have three days to cancel after signing a home improvement contract, but all cancellations must be in writing.

Additional information on how to avoid fraudulent home improvement contractors can be found on the Attorney General’s Website.

Home Improvement Fraud ranked eighth on the Office of the Attorney General’s top ten list of consumer frauds for 2016, with 1,606 complaints statewide. Rooting out and resolving these fraud cases is a top priority for Attorney General Schneiderman. In 2016, the Attorney General’s Rochester Regional Office alone mediated 39 complaints involving home improvement matters, with roughly $18,000 being returned to consumers as a result.

The case is being handled by Benjamin Bruce, Assistant Attorney General, and the investigation was handled by Investigator Michelle Ortiz, both of the Rochester Regional Office, which is led by Ted O’Brien, Assistant Attorney General-in-Charge. The Rochester Regional Office is a part of the Division of Regional Offices, led by Marty Mack, Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Offices.