Complaint Review: The American Dream Builders

In July 2003 we contracted with this builder (no MHIC license either) to construct a 32 x 32 garage on our property (no electric or plumbing included, contract stated work would be completed within 45 days of starting).

Accoridng to the terms of the contract, we were to pay 1/3 at the time of signing the contract, 1/3 at the midway point, and the final third when work was complete. My husband paid 1/2 the contract amount at the signing of the contract, and work began. Work did not begin until almost September 2003, and in November 2003, the owner Ronald Hutchens Sr came to my husband, claiming that his son needed an operation, and he needed the reamining balance of the contract to secure the doctors for him, and that when the trouble really started.

Here it is almost a year to the date that we signed the contract and still I have a partially finished garage, which we have paid the contractor in full for.

We had to hire private individuals in February 2004 in order to get the roof on the garage so the wood did not warp due to the snow, and we also had to hire private individuals to put the siding on as well, because the employees of the company never came back after December, except one time, in which they got their truck stuck in my yard, tore up the landscaping in the process of attempting to get the truck out, and pulled the truck out by using a come along tied to my Dogwood tree (which died as a result!).

We have attempted to work this out with the owner, Ronald Hutchen, Sr, and his partner Leslie Pladna, only to have broken promises that his employees would be out the next day, or some excuse why they couldnt be there by Ron, and best yet, his partner telling us that it was not her problem that I had to hire other people to put the roof and siding on!

We have filed a claim with the Maryland Home imporvement commission, the Maryland Attorney General, and if nessecary will follow through with a civil suit as well (we just want our garage finished, as the man has been paid in full for it!).

Wanda
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
U.S.A.