Golden Empire Homes

Among other things, Golden Empire hired several unlicensed contractors to perform work on the project. The permit records for the City of Fort Lauderdale show that Golden Empire Homes, Inc. used licensed entities to pull permits for specialty work but that the work itself was actually performed by unlicensed contractors. The following is provided by way of example but in no way limits the extent of the misconduct: Electrical Permit (10101112) was pulled by American Digital Design, Inc. However, Golden Empire paid Corriders Electric, Inc. to perform the actual work. Corriders Electric, Inc. is not licensed. American Digital Design, Inc.'s lack of involvement with the project is evidenced by the fact that they did not submit a single invoice for performing work on the job. Roofing Permit (10101113) was pulled by Storm Proof Roofing & Construction Services, Inc. However, the City of Fort Lauderdale issued a stop work order because that contractor's license was suspended. See attached. Golden Empire then retained AGC General Contractor, Inc. to take over the permit but the work was still performed by Storm Proof Roofing. This is evidenced by the fact that Storm Proof was submitting invoices to and being paid by Golden Empire after the stop work order. As further evidence, Golden Empire did not make any payments to AGC General Contractor, Inc. Timeliness The builder was out of the country for approx. 7 weeks during the total build time. His last trip was for 3 1/2 weeks very close to the end of the project. We had to take time off from work to continue the project. Financial Misconduct: Golden Empire Homes, Inc. also misrepresented the cost of the project and intentionally overcharged Complainant for the work performed. For example, in response to Complainant's request for accounting on the project, Golden Empire Homes, Inc. provided a spreadsheet showing the amount paid and to be paid to its various subcontractors and suppliers. However, in response to requests for sworn statement of accounts, several subcontractors indicated they were owed and paid less than the amounts charged to Complainant by Golden Empire. These discrepancies include the following: Subcontractor/Supplier Amount Charged by Contractor Actual Cost Difference/Over Charge D&B Tile Distributors $6,281.19 $4,780 $1,501.19 USA Tile & Marble $5,000.00 $4,146.73 $853.27 Brothers Concrete Pumping $600.00 $0 $600 Poor Workmanship: Complainant has had continuous problems with the quality of the work performed by Golden Empire Homes, Inc. which they either refused or failed to correct. By way of example, these defects include the following: a. Outside Wall Veneer - the wall stones installed on the exterior of the home are falling off creating a life-safety issue; b. Wood Floors - the wood floors installed are not level and were not floated c. Electrical Issues - embedded HDMI Cable was damaged during the drywall installation and now has to be replaced by tearing holes in the wall. Also the electrical breaker trips when the kitchen and office lights are turned on at the same time. Additionally, the transformers for the upper cabinets lights are visible from the livingroom, the builder's suggestion to remedy the problem was not to stand in the livingroom.