ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Better Business Bureau of northeast Florida and the southeast Atlantic is warning consumers who may have done business with a St. Augustine modular and manufactured home dealer, that the company may be out of business.
BBB said it has received six complaints since March 2014 from consumers alleging they have signed a contract with Better Built Homes, Inc. and paid a substantial down payment without any work being completed or homes being left incomplete.
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BBB said it made numerous attempts to contact Better Built Homes, Inc. regarding the complaints and received no response.
The pattern of complaints earned the builder of modular homes an "F" rating with BBB.
BBB received notice Thursday from a consumer who learned from his bank that the business is defunct. The consumer, who paid a $70,000 deposit for a home in June, is out a substantial amount of cash and has nothing to show for it.
The consumer is not alone. BBB said it uncovered pending civil litigation for the company on file with the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts. BBB attempted to contact Better Built Homes, Inc. and its president, William Keith Leary, for clarification about the operating status of the business.
The company's voice mail box is full. Consumers who have visited the business indicate that doors are locked and a closed sign is up during normal business hours.
BBB is urging potential victims who have yet to come forward to not only file a complaint but to also contact the state attorney and the attorney general.