Port Chester Contractor Ordered to Repay Homeowner Thousands Taken for Unfinished Job

Last November, Harrison resident John Greer hired Edwin Mendez of Eddie Home Improvement to do some construction work on his home. After receiving an estimate from Mendez, Greer hired him. Within a few weeks, Mendez asked Greer for $1,000 for materials and a deposit for labor in advance.

Mendez started the job on Dec. 3. On Dec. 4 he returned to finish the work, asked for a second payment of $1,350. Two days later, he dropped off three doors and left, never to return, Greer said.

He called a few days later with an excuse but then never came back or returned any of Greer’s calls.

Greer felt violated and said he suffered emotionally and financially, according to The Journal News’ Swampa Venugopai Ramaswamy.

In January, Greer filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection and the department held a hearing with Mendez on Feb. 21. The Journal News reports that:

“a $6,000 penalty was assessed against Mendez for being unlicensed, and he was asked to repay Greer in two installments by April 7."

Mendez never repaid Greer, who is now taking the contractor to Port Chester small claims court on May 15. 

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, 9,461 homeowners in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties applied for FEMA assistance by the April 14 deadlin; homeowners and renters in Westchester have received $1.35 million in housing assistance for repairs, according to LoHud. 

The Journal News used Greer’s experience as an example of what can happen when homeowners are not vigilant when they hire contractors. According to the article, home improvement contractors are number one on the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection’s “Top 10 List” of consumer complaints.

Keep yourself safe by checking out these FEMA guidelines for hiring contractorsand reading LoHud’s full article here.