Homeowners advised to be careful with dubious contractors

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A contractor is facing estafa charges after she failed to finish a three-month home renovation despite being fully paid by her client.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “Kapuso Action Man” on 24 Oras, the Montecastro family in April 2023 started their dream renovation of their house in General Trias, Cavite.

A member of the family, Alex Montecastro, said one of her siblings who works as an Overseas Filipino worker in Dubai even borrowed half a million pesos to pay the contractor, ‘Tina.’

“Friend po siya ng ate ko na we trusted and fully paid po kami sa kanya,” said Alex.

(She was my older sister’s friend so we trusted her and paid her in full.)

It was later discovered that ‘Tina’ was not licensed under the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and that the Montecastros were not her sole clients.

“Even before November we tried to contact her since sinabi ko po earlier na on and off po yung dating ng mga workers. Until now, wala na pong gumagawa dito (work has since stopped since the workers are gone),” she added.

“Naaawa na nga po ako sa nanay ko halos araw-araw iniiyakan niya yung bahay namin. Grabe na po yung emotional trauma na ibinigay niya sa amin (I feel bad for my mom, she cries everyday for our house. The contractor caused us so much emotional trauma),” Alex said.

The family has been forced to live in the house despite its unfinished and exposed condition.

According to Atty. Ansheline Bacudio, the victims should file a civil case for specific performance with damages since the contractor did not comply with her contract.

In this case, Bacudio advised homeowners to check if the contractor has a license to operate from the PCAB; whether she has pending cases; and to study her portfolio.

The lawyer said it is also best to avoid paying in full until the construction is finished.

The PCAB is now investigating the case.

Based on the lawyer’s advice, the Montecastro family has filed an estafa case against the contractor, who declined to give an interview.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, Integrated News

This article Homeowners advised to be careful with dubious contractors was originally published in GMA News Online.