Complaint Review: Miller Bulloch MTR (More Than Remodeling

In July of 2014 I met John Miller who told me that he wasstarting his own business as a General Contractor after having worked for most of his life as a salesperson for several large builders.  I needed a new roof and some stucco repair and John said he had sub-contractors he's worked with for many years ready to get started.

I got competitive quotes from other contractors and while waiting for the quotes to come in John called me almost daily.

A former minister, according to John, and because I have been in a similar position (starting up a business) I decided to give John the ball.  We drew up a contract and I gave him a deposit.

From that point on it was me chasing him.

To start, he went to MY bank and cashed the check instead of depositing it in his account.  The bank should not have cashed a check made out to a company (instead of an individual) but that's a whole other issue.  Regardless, I was immediately suspicious.

But, John did return my calls.  And he rented office space in Newton, NJ.  And hired an assistant and a project manager.  I felt a little better knowing that he hadn't taken my money and just run off with it.

After a few weeks I was told that some materials were on back order and it would be a couple weeks.  That wasn't a problem for me as it was still July.  A couple weeks turnied into several weeks.  "Still on backorder" was what I was told.

After more time John suggested we start on the roof and deal with the stucco repair later.  No sense tying up the whole job waiting for Hardie Board (to replace the stucco on the dormers), right?

I would have agreed to that, but I told John that I would not pay the final payments until the whole job was done.  He said he'd check with his sub-contractor to see when we could start.

A week later I called him.  A new story was being told.  Apparently someone had stolen his company credit card and he wasn't able to order the Hardie Board.  Not at all the same story I was previously told about it being on backorder.

That was the last I spoke to John Miller.

I did, however, speak to his project manager.  I was told that they were about to get the funds released from the bacnk and that within a week they'd be ready to start.  That was September 11th, 2014.

Today is September 22nd and I spoke with the project manager again.  I guess I should say former project manager as both he and John's assistant have quit because they were not paid.  John's cell phone goes immediately to voicemail.  His office phone rings and eventually goes to VM but the mailbox is full.

My guess is that my money is gone and that I will never see it again.  I do have John's home address, though, and I plan to file charges this afternoon.  From what I understand this is fraud as he took the money and did not buy materials or start the job in any way.  Not sure but I will update this when I know more.

Unfortunately I did not see this post fom 2006 before writing my check.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/john-miller-more-than-remodeling/andover-new-jersey-07461/john-miller-more-than-remodeling-nj-contractor-13vh01933700-state-license-040010902-250292

Apparently he's done this before in my VERY small town.  The person who wrote the report said:

"I wish to mention that before my project was complete, Mr. Miller's son had mentioned one day that they might incorporate under a different name as there was an issue with insurance if their company wanted to expand to do roofing jobs. I did not understand this and gave it little thought, but in hindsight, I am fearful that Mr. Miller has, or will, open a business under a different name and end up swindling other customers as he did me."

This woman is a prophet.

To summarize, John may be a smooth talker, but he is a liar and a theif.  If you encounter him, run, don't walk, away.  He will call and cajole and be your best friend until you write him a check.  Then you'll be chasing him.

Footnote: John rented space at an event that was run by my mother.  His check bounced.  His project manager eventually took it upon himself to pay her cash for the amount owed but the bounced check fee is still outstanding.  Further, I saw that John wrote a glowing review of a local eatery 5 days prior to this posting.  It was for one of the best restaurants in the county.  5 DAYS AGO he was dining with MY MONEY.