Cook County State’s Attorney files suit against Suburban Construction Company

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Unit has filed a lawsuit against a suburban construction company and its owner for bilking thousands of dollars from homeowners who were told that their homes had been damaged by severe weather and were in need of repairs, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Lake Shore Construction.net, Inc., and owner David Gerger are named in the suit that was filed today.  The lawsuit alleges that the company accepted more than $20,000 in payments from two homeowners for work that was never performed on their homes in Elmwood Park and Orland Park.  The lawsuit also accuses the defendant of misleading victims to believe that the company was fully licensed to perform the promised repairs.  

According to the lawsuit, Gerger operated his business out of two offices in Homer Glen and LaGrange Park and would solicit his services in neighborhoods that had recently experienced severe weather and offer to inspect homeowner’s roofs for damage. 

After the two inspections identified in the lawsuit, Gerger told the homeowners that he had found damage to their roof and offered to make the needed repairs. Gerger told the homeowners that their homeowner’s insurance policy would cover the cost of his work and offer to negotiate their claim even though he was not a licensed insurance adjuster. 

When company representatives would come out to assess the damage, Gerger would meet with them and discuss the homeowner’s repairs. He would return to the victim’s home after their claim was approved to pick up the checks they had received. This would be the last time either of the victims would see Gerger again as no materials were ever delivered or work initiated on their homes. 

In total, Gerger is alleged to have taken $21,358.89 from the two victims.

The lawsuit seeks to permanently enjoin the defendants from engaging in any further alleged deceptive practices.  Refunds for victims and a $50,000 fine are also being sought.

According to Alvarez, this type of deceptive business practice is typical of so-called “storm chasers,” contractors who target neighborhoods that have recently experienced severe weather and storm damage. They will commonly offer a free inspection of the victim’s roof and further represent to the homeowner that their property insurance company will pay the repair costs. In some cases these contractors will offer to negotiate the insurance claim on the victim’s behalf and then disappear with the payment when it arrives.  

State’s Attorney Alvarez urges homeowners to use caution when choosing a contractor to complete home improvement projects or to make home repairs and to keep in mind the following tips when choosing someone to complete any repairs on their property.

·        Always get at least three quotes for any major remodeling /repair work.

·        Ask questions about the repair, including time frame to complete and materials.  If your questions aren’t answered to your satisfaction, ask again or contact another company.

·        Ask for references in the area that have had similar work done and check them out.

·        Be sure that you read and understand the entire contact before signing it.  Make sure any promises or guarantees made during discussions with the contractor are in the contract.

·        Check the company’s rating on the Better Business Bureau’s website:  www.bbb.org

·        Read the pamphlet, “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights,” before hiring a contractor.  All home repair contractors are required by law to provide you with this pamphlet before asking you to sign a contract over $500.

For more information contact the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Consumer Fraud Unit at 312/603-8700 or visit the State’s Attorney’s website at www.statesattorney.org.