Media contact: Janet C. Hart, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
Charlotte,
NC – June 11, 2009 – As the high season for home improvement
projects gets underway, the BBB is warning consumers about doing business with home
improvement contractor, Randy Briel, of Matthews, N.C. (aka Terence R. Briel, Terence
Randy Briel, T. R. Briel and Terrance Randolph Briel).
Mr. Briel is currently doing business or has done business
under 15 different business names including Outdoor At Its Best, Camille’s
Landscape, Briel Build & Design, California Sundecks, Over the Hedge Design
and 10 others. Mr. Briel has also used 12 different business addresses in Union
and Mecklenburg Counties, 11 different phone numbers and six different email
addresses.
Homeowners have contracted with Mr. Briel to provide a
variety of home improvement jobs including sunroom, deck, porch, patio and
fence construction, and landscaping design. Deservedly, he has an “F” rating
with the BBB as a result of failing to address and resolve consumer complaints.
In the past 36 months, 37 consumers in seven counties in N.C. (Mecklenburg,
Union, Lincoln, Gaston, Cabarrus, Catawba and Iredell), and two counties in
S.C. (York and Richland) have filed complaints against Mr. Briel. Of the 37
complaints, nine are unresolved and four are unanswered. Complainants allege
that Mr. Briel accepted payment, but failed to perform or complete the work
stated in the contract.
“There are many reputable, hard-working, home improvement
contractors in our area, but unfortunately there are a few who are less than
reputable,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “For this reason, we encourage
consumers to do their homework before contracting with any business.”
The most recent address that the BBB has on file for Mr.
Briel is 545 Butternut Lane, Matthews, N.C., 28104 and the most recent
telephone numbers are (704) 299-8773 or (704) 552-2700.
The BBB has the following tips for homeowners before hiring
a home improvement contractor:
- Check with the BBB
by calling 1-877-317-7236 (toll-free in NC and SC) or by visiting www.bbb.org to obtain a free Reliability
Report on any company.
- Verify that the
contractor has the appropriate licenses and that they are bonded and
insured.
- Make sure terms and
conditions of the contract are in writing before the work begins.
- Do not pay 100% of
the contract in advance and do not pay in cash. Pay by check or credit
card, if possible.
- Check to see if the
contractor has a criminal history. Homeowners should be hyper-vigilant
about anyone they allow into their home and around their family.
For
more information, please visit www.bbb.org.
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