Complaints Against Florida Home Improvement Contractor Results In BBB Suspension

As a result of processing 78 complaints in the last twelve months involving, among other things, the company taking large deposits or payments and not finishing jobs, the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida has pulled the membership of Rockledge contractor Transflorida Corp., according to a story in Florida Today.

Reportedly, Transflorida is working to fix the problems and has hired four subcontractors to help with its backlog of jobs, and a public relations firm to handle the negative publicity the business has received.

Several Broward County residents who had contracts with Transflorida have banded together in an effort to persuade the Broward state attorney to file criminal charges. Reportedly, under Florida law, contractors who take deposits of more than 10 percent must apply for a permit in 30 days and start work within 90 days unless a customer agrees to a delay in writing. The law doesn't say how long the job should take. Theft charges can be filed against violators.

One couple had to pay other firms to make their home habitable, and they may face foreclosure because of financial problems caused by their experience with Transflorida. For more, see Company appeals its suspension by BBB (Transflorida says it's fixing problems) (no longer available online).

See also:

• Broward County families band together to fight Brevard County contractor (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) (no longer available online).
• Broward homeowners take complaints against builder to prosecutor (Builder took money, didn't do work, they say) (no longer available online).

For story update, see:

• Contractor offers refunds to angry clients (Florida Today - 10-4-07) (no longer available online),
• BBB Reliability Report for Transflorida Corp..

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