Since 2016 Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been working hard to help consumers avoid predatory contractors.
We even created a humorous video series featuring the fictional A.C. Winterbottom, Agent for America’s Repair Force, and an accompanying website (www.AmericasRepairForce.com) that is full of information on how to spot a scam.
Unfortunately, as this recent news story illustrates, there’s no shortage of dishonest contractors trying to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners…
The Florida Office of the Attorney General is currently investigating Bruno Total Home Performance, formerly known as Bruno Air, in Bonita Springs for allegations of shoddy work, overselling and overcharging for products and services, performing unnecessary work, high-pressure sales tactics, and unscrupulous loan practices - including forging customers' signatures on financial documents.
Court records also indicate that Louis Bruno, LLC (d.b.a. Bruno Total Home Performance) has filed at least 3 foreclosure actions and over two dozen liens against property owners in Lee & Collier counties!
Predatory contractors will try anything to separate you from your money.
They’ll claim to find mold and tell you your family is in great danger - some will even claim that they can’t “legally” leave an AC system running in such bad condition. Other companies will strongarm you into signing documents and even refuse to leave before you do - obviously, they don’t want you to get a second opinion. The list of scams goes on…
But there are many ways to see if a company or contractor is reputable.
Consumers can verify licenses with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850-487-1395, or by downloading the free DBPR Mobile app. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also a great resource for information and ratings on companies and your local Chamber of Commerce can recommend a business.
Another way to avoid falling prey to unethical contractors is to ask around.
Contact friends and neighbors to see who they recommend and do a little research on the internet – online reviews from Google and others are a great way to get a consensus opinion and see where a company’s strengths and weaknesses are. And don’t just look for high ratings, look for companies with more than a handful of reviews which could have come from their friends and family. Finally, it never hurts to get a second opinion before spending a large amount of money on something.
In the case of Bruno Air, the DBPR shows 2 complaints against Bruno's contractor's license which is “current with probation”. In a rare move, the BBB revoked Bruno Air's accreditation in November of 2015 based on what it saw as a "pattern of complaints;" the new company, Bruno Total Home Performance, has never been accredited. And their online reviews, literally, scream “STAY AWAY!!!”
Click here for more information:
Five things to know about the state investigation into Bruno Total Home Performance
(link to https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2019/01/17/bruno-total-home-performance-state-investigation-5-things-know/2603815002/)
Attorney general's office investigating Bruno Total Home Performance in Bonita Springs
(link to https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2019/01/15/law-enforcement-presence-bruno-total-home-performance-bonita-springs/2580545002/)
Homeowners shed light on state inquiry into Bruno Total Home air of Bonita
(link to https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2019/01/16/bruno-total-home-performance-still-open-business-day-after-law-enforcement-seized-documents-offi/2591820002/)
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