Homeowners left waiting for roofs after Sarasota roofing company closes, files for bankruptcy

Описание: Customers who have been grappling with the effects of a Sarasota roofing company closing its doors are learning more about the company’s financial problems.

The company, FamilyFirst Roofing Group, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy back in late July, just weeks after customers learned the Sarasota office had closed. Creditors were alerted through a court letter that there’s a hearing on the bankruptcy on Wednesday.

Some customers have been holding out hope that roofers from their main office in Port Saint Lucie would be able to help finish the jobs. But for others, it’s too late.

Kerrie Fountain’s father collected a garage full of antiques over several decades, showing us several of his collectibles.

“This is his 1955 Studebaker. And he was always out here working on it, refurbishing it, and drove it every week,” Fountain said. “He built this garage himself. It's his pride and joy. It's probably three times bigger than his house.”

While he liked working on projects, he was on oxygen, so he hired Family First Roofing Group and gave them a deposit for a new metal roof for his garage.

“They were supposed to put the roof on in two weeks. That was in September of last year. For months after that, he kept calling them, and they tell him next week, next week, next week,” Fountain said.

In March, Fountain says workers finally got started.

“They ripped off the roof he had, put down a couple new pieces of sheeting and dried it in, so he gave him another check. So in total, he had given them $14,000,” Fountain said.

Workers installed the barrier, but no metal roof.

“And then finally in June, he was getting impatient with hurricane season coming, and he was getting real nervous about just losing everything out here because there's no roof. And, so they told him that they had had some scandal in the business, and, they were getting financing. And as soon as they got it, they were going to come out here with the metal,” Fountain said.

She says that didn’t happen, and while her dad was waiting, he died of a heart attack.

“He was very proud, and he didn't want me to know just how bad the situation was,” Fountain said.

Earlier this year, the company’s owner Rey Duarte told 10 Tampa Bay News there were some workers in the Sarasota office who had manipulated their system and put in projects as complete so they could get paid.

"I tell you it's over $80,000 for the past three months in a row, I've just been straight refunding people of money that I don't have because they took advantage of me too," Duarte told 10 Tampa Bay News.

Bankruptcy filings show FamilyFirst Roofing has $1.7 million in total liabilities from suppliers to customers who hadn’t had their jobs finished.

One of the more than 80 creditors listed is Fountain’s father Jay Pendergraft. It shows a claim for nearly $14,000. Fountain is concerned about the condition of the roof.

“It's completely unprotected. And if that roof blows off, he's got thousands of dollars worth of tools and sentimental items to that are at risk,” Fountain said.

While the company is working to consolidate its debt, there could be some hope for those who didn’t get a new roof. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund. A homeowner can make a claim even if the contractor has filed for bankruptcy.

“It just it breaks my heart that honestly, he was so upset about this,” Fountain said.

More businesses are going bankrupt compared to last year; filings are up four and a half percent. Fountain is one of about 40 people, mostly roofing customers, who filed complaints with the Florida Attorney General’s Office. We’ve asked both the AG’s office and DBPR about whether their offices are taking any further action against FamilyFirst Roofing, but haven’t heard back.

Here's where you can file complaints on a contractor in the state of Florida. First, check if your county has a consumer protection office like the ones in Pinellas and Hillsborough. Second, you can file with DBPR. Third, you can reach out to the Florida Attorney General.