Frank Dove

Do not use this contractor!  We contracted with Frank Dove (a.k.a. Francis R. Dove) in April 2011 to build a wooden paddock fence with interior wire mesh and three gates in our backyard in Ellicott City.  The job was to be completed in a few days.  We gave him a deposit of $1800 upfront.  After delays in beginning, Mr. Dove finally arrived with one helper to install the posts which were to be installed every 8 feet per our contract.  When posting was "finished", Dove requested his second draw of $900 which we gave him.  The final draw was to be paid when the fence was complete.  Mr. Dove then installed the three wooden gates.  All work stopped.  After repeated calls to Mr. Dove, he indicated that he could not complete the job - his crew had quit, he was getting out of the business and that he would refund our money in full once he sold the materials .  Upon bringing in another contractor to complete the fence, we learned that even the posting had not been completed as represented since only half the posts had been installed at 16 ft apart.  Also the three gates had not been properly braced.   The new contractor brought in the additional materials and completed the postings, bracing, and the rest of the fence in one day.

Despite several requests from us and oral and e-mailed assurances from Mr. Dove that he would return our money throughout May and June, we have not received any refund at all.  We have learned since that Mr. Dove has pending criminal charges against him in Prince Georges County District Court for theft, acting as a contractor without a license, and failure to complete a contract.  This information is publicly available on the Maryland District Court website; his trial is scheduled for October 2011.