Unfortunately NO, buildzoom is a service to help qualify your contractor based on public records of permits issued.
Buildzoom is a service to screen potential contractors. The most you could do is leave a negative review which may warn other potential customers of the contractor’s fraudulent actions.
A contractor taking the customer’s money and not completing work constitutes the crime of contractor fraud. Your best recourse is to contact your state contractor licensing authority and your local police department.
Check with your state’s various departments and agencies that enforce the labor & trade industries. For example, in MN we have what’s called the Contractor Recovery Fund. It’s a program set up by the state’s Dept. of Labor and Industry that helps homeowners who find themselves in that type of situation recover their funds.
As a licensed contractor in MN we’re required to contribute annually to the fund. It’s free to homeowners that hire a licensed contractor but if you had someone unlicensed do the work, you’re on your own.
I don’t know what your state has to offer, but hopefully this helps point you in the right direction.
The answer is unfortunately no. The only help you will get is filing a complaint with your state’s licensing board and / or contacting an attorney if you are not court savvy yourself. Even after you lodge a complaint or secure a court victory, you will have to stay vigilant and call often to have license sanctions made; and enforcement on a civil judgement can be painstakingly difficult not to mention expensive. Best of luck!
To cover yourself, before you hire any contractor make sure there is a signed agreement that does not only protect the contractor, but most importantly yourself. NEVER give any money to a contractor up front or before a job is complete without a legal binding agreement.
I’m not sure on that but always get a receipt. Take your contract and receipt to the police if you want to have charges filed and the person arrested. This should never happen. You can also go to your local magistrate and file civil action and possibly theft by deception. Most important, BuildZoom will guide you in the right direction; they will not let a problem like that just go away. Then call the local news and have it known so they do not try it again.
Yes!
BuildZoom should be able to assist you with filing a complaint and getting your money back.
In California there is a state fund to pay wronged consumers for bad contractor actions.
Contact BuildZoom administration and ask them.
Check with the CSLB