CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION REVOKES THE REGISTRATION OF A VIRGINIA HOME BUILDER AND SETTLES WITH TWO BUILDERS

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division revoked the registration of a new home builder in the State of Maryland for failing to comply with Maryland’s Home Builder Registration Act and entered into settlement agreements with two others.

The Division suspended the registration of Construction Consulting and Management, Inc. of Woodbridge, Virginia. The builder accepted deposits and payments from at least five consumers in Prince George’s County and then failed to begin construction of the homes--or return the money paid. The company also operated as a builder prior to being registered, made fraudulent statements on its application to register as a home builder, and failed to report lawsuits, including a bankruptcy, to the Home Builder Registration Unit. If Construction Consulting and Management, Inc. fails to request a hearing by December 18, 2006, its registration will be revoked.

The Home Builder Registration Unit also entered into settlement agreements with two other builders who acted as builders without being registered. Raymond Porter t/a Porter’s Building and Improvements of St. Michael’s, Maryland used the license number issued to him by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to obtain a permit to construct a new home prior to obtaining a registration. Huntington Creek Capital Group, LLC of Easton, Maryland sold new residential homes without being registered. Both builders have since registered, and agreed to pay penalties and arbitrate complaints with the Consumer Protection Division’s Arbitration program.

“ Home builders who take advantage of consumers will not be allowed to build in Maryland,” said Attorney General Curran. Curran said that home builders must be registered before they can enter into contracts to build homes for consumers.
Consumers who may have had problems with homes built by these or other builders should contact the Home Builder Registration Unit at (410) 576-6573 in Baltimore or call toll free (877) 259-4525. Consumers can also email that unit at homebuilder@oag.state.md.us. They can also check to see if a builder is registered over the internet at www.oag.state.md.us/homebuilder or by contacting the Home Builder Registration Unit.