Local Contractors Stiffed

Millionare stiff's local contractors. Merry Christmas and thanks for all the work done on our McMansion!

From 23 News:


http://www.turnto23.com/news/10436327/detail.html

BAKERSFIELD -- Dozens of protestors picketed in front of a southwest Bakersfield home on display at the Chez Noel Christmas Home Tour Friday morning, claiming nearly $700,000 in unpaid construction costs.

The tour opened its doors Friday, giving local residents a chance to see three spectacular homes all dressed up for the holidays. One of the three homes, however, has become a battleground between the home owners and home builders.

A 23ABC investigation found more than a dozen subcontractors who said they've been trying to get paid for several months on a stocking full of extras and upgrades they provided during construction; an unpaid bill they say is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The 7,500 square foot, Georgian-style, two-story home sits on the edge of a gated neighborhood in Seven Oaks. The interior is decorated like a circa 1800's English manor, with lots of extras. But it's those extras that reportedly caused the price of the custom home to skyrocket.

Ron Pruitt said the owners, Greg and Gina Hartman, wanted 40 different oil-based colors, imported from London, to use on the interior. He said he explained the process would triple the original estimate.

Most of the contractors we spoke to said the requests the owner made were satisfied but never paid for.

Once it was complete, contractors said the owners paid for the original bid, but didn't pay for any extras to the tune of $700,000.