CASS COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An unlicensed roofing contractor has been sentenced to probation following a criminal investigation into several complaints of unethical business, according to a press release by the Better Business Bureau.
Jeffrey Burks, owner of All Tech Repair and Roof Sealants in Dowagiac, was sentenced to three years of probation last week after pleading guilty to one count of False Pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000.
A second charge of the same type was dropped due to the plea agreement. His business has been shut down, which will not be allowed to reopen as part of his sentencing.
Burks is accused of taking money from customers and not completing the work. One example includes a 2018 case when a Dowagiac woman made a down payment of $1,500 for a roofing job, which Burks never showed up for.
Burks and his company had previously been sued multiple times in the mid and late 90’s by customers in both Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana. He was also previously charged in Michigan for operating without a license, which did not stop him from continuing his practice.
His company continued to accept contracts, despite the fact that he told the BBB his business was shut down after declaring bankruptcy in 2016.
In the press release, the BBB offered the following tips to customers when hiring contractors –
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Get multiple bids: Speak to several companies about the job, the cost and the timeline. Speaking to multiple companies will help consumers know exactly what the job requires, and how much it should cost.
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Do your research: Learn about a company’s reputation ahead of time. BBB.ORG lets consumers see reviews and complaints filed with the BBB. One of the requirements to become a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business is that the company have all required licensing. Using accredited businesses can give consumers confidence the company meets both State standards and the standards set by the BBB.
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Don’t pay the full price up front: Unscrupulous companies will sometimes be paid up front and never return to do the work. Make a reasonable down payment on the project, and pay for the rest when certain benchmarks are achieved or when the job is finished to everyone’s satisfaction. This will limit your loss if the company fails to perform the required work.
The BBB also noted that Burks’ company held an “F” grade.
