Complaint Review: Billy Wayne Cranford

I am writing on behalf of my parents Yvonne and Lee Roy Dewvall who are elderly (82, 83) my dad is a disabled veteran and a cancer survivor. They entered into a contract with Billy Wayne Cranford to do remodel/addition of second home located at (((REDACTED))), Sunrise Beach, TX on July 12, 2017 with a projected  completion date of 90 days.

Billy Wayne Cranford was given $13,764 (20% down) on July 12, 2017 to start the project....he failed to apply for permits that were charged to me in my contract and did very minimal work within the 90 days. Always had an excuse or explanation for not getting work done.  We personally went and got all permits ourselves.

We met Billy at Interceramic on September 22, 2017 to select the tile for the project.  Billy informed us that he would need another $9000 for the purchase of all tile to complete the job. (this price included the demo and removal of current flooring, price of the tile, floor preparation and installation of all tile)  As of today April 1, 2018 the tile is still at Interceramic, is an "in stock" item and no deposit has been placed on the tile. The $9000 check was cashed immediately, and there is no accounting for any of this money.

We sent a demand letter to Billy Wayne Cranford in October demanding the following information in writing: the status of our contract, funds that were disbursed, a request for the full accounting records, a copy of all invoices that have been paid, a list of all subcontractors that had worked on the property and his intentions as to how and when he was going to complete this project.

2 letters were sent. 1 to his physical address and 1 to his business address that we believe is a post office box. The letter sent to the business address was signed for, however it is not legible. The other letter was returned to us.

My husband and I made several attempts to contact Billy Wayne Cranford. When my husband finally made contact with Billy (in either late November or early December it was more of the same...excuse, excuse, excuse. He stated he did not get the letter but had personal issues and would be getting right back on the project.  My husband informed him there would be no more $$$ without any invoices.

Billy Wayne Crandord came to our home December 20, 2017 and provided us with numerous receipts.  These were receipts that come out of a receipt book that can be purchased at Office Depot.  Billy reflected that all of these had been paid and he had even taken money out of his own pocket. When he totaled the amounts up it was over $27,000.  Billy indicated he would need the next draw in the amount of $15,500, to keep the project moving along and completed by the first week of February. Billy was provided this check and it was cashed immediately.

We have since reviewed all receipts, contacted all subs that have worked on the job only to find out the receipts were a false representation of the amounts that have been paid, they had been forged, some of the people we do not know if they even exist and 4 of the contractors are still owed money.

Between December 21, 2017 and April 1, 2018 only 1 worker has been at the property for 1-2 days. (our nextdoor neighbor and our cousin check on the property either daily or on a regular basis. We requested a copy of this invoice directly from Gabriel Morua.  It indicates he had had hung 25 sheets of sheet rock that he charged $1300 for.

We drove to the property on March 16, 2018 and met Craig Gordon (one of the main subs that did the majority of the work) and the Chief of Police Laurie Brock. We provided the receipt to Craig Gordon while at the property and were informed Craig had done all of the sheet rock with the exception of 5 sheets at most. So we know this is also a false invoice.

We have located approximately 20 liens that have been filed for non-payment of subcontractors within Travis and Williamson Counties, approximately 10 people has has done this same exact scam to. And he continues to solicit business through social media.  Not to mention he is on probation for a DWI and continuously violates the conditions of his probation.

We have filed with the Texas Attorney General Consumer Complaints Division....only to be told "they do nothing"...as they told the 10 additional complaintants.

In Billy's response to the Attorney General the majority of the information and fees are falsified in order to account for the total of checks he has been paid ($13,764, $9,000 and $15,500).  All checks were cashed immediately and are in Violation of the Texas Property Code 162 that requires funds to be deposited in a "trust account", a full accounting record to be kept, and states that all fees that are owed for materials and or subs to be piad within 7 days from the construction account.

We are working with Kimberly Yule who was scammed for approximately $27K by Billy Wayne Cranford and Terry Reynolds.  Billy Wayne Cranford took approximately $25K from Terry's 84 year old mom.

Please advise!!