Bathroom remodeling is a big job and not something you want to tackle on your own. Many people turn to the internet to find local contractors to do the work.
That is exactly what Monika Ingersol did.
After searching HomeAdvisor, Monika signed a contract with Indoor Outdoor Remodeling and a man named Liran Grenwald.
The deal was to refinish her tiles, put in new sinks and new fixtures in two bathrooms.
Monika paid $1,700 to start the work. Then, five days later she paid another $2,100. Both checks cleared. Unfortunately, so did the workers.
“I don't have any faucets, I have no water, I can't use it,” Monika told 10Investigates' Courtney Robinson.
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Monika reached out to Indoor Outdoor Remodeling for answers but got nothing. She wasn’t the only customer getting the silent treatment.
Leslie Lance also called Turn to 10. She and her mother Patricia also contracted Indoor Outdoor Remodeling for what they were told was going to be a “million-dollar bathroom”. Leslie showed us what was left of her bathroom and says she got anything but that.
“Not even close. They didn’t put a light fixture on. They’ve ruined my wall,” Leslie explained while showing us around the unfinished room.
Leslie says she also found Indoor Outdoor Remodeling on HomeAdvisor. It was listed under Grenwald’s company, “LCAG FL”. They wrote three checks, totaling more than $4,300.
“He was a very very convincing person. He made you feel good,” Patricia explained.
What was even more convincing, both families say Grenwald had a packet of information showing certification from groups like the Better Business Bureau, and he also had a license. The problem…it isn’t Grenwald’s license. The license belongs to a contractor named John Rourke.
10Investigates reached out to Rourke. He reached out to us through text message. He admits he knows Grenwald.
The head of investigations for the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board says Indoor Outdoor Remodeling has never been licensed. In fact, the investigator tells us Grenwald broke the law.
“Should not have even gone to the home and written an estimate. As soon as he did that, he broke the law,” Todd Myers, Manager of Investigations for Pinellas County, told 10Investigates' Courtney Robinson.
Both Leslie and Monika say they never imagined hiring a business on a reputable web site would put them in a situation like this.
HomeAdvisor tells 10Investigates “LCAG FL LLC” is no longer a part of its network.
You can read their full statement here:
“We are always disheartened to hear about negative experiences homeowners may experience with a company in our network. This company, LCAG FL LLC, is no longer a part of the network and LCAG FL LLC business owners were screened using the full process prior to joining in 2018. Indoor Outdoor Remodeling in Florida was never a part of the HomeAdvisor network. We are committed to providing homeowners a good experience with pros we find on their network and encourage any homeowner who found this pro using our network and who has an issue with this company to reach out to us. For more information on the screening process www.homeadvisor/com/screening” – HomeAdvisor Spokesperson
The BBB also says this business is not and never was accredited by the BBB. And also the BBB wants consumers to know their logo was misused.
"This company is using the Better Business Bureau Logo on their advertisements. This company is not a BBB Accredited business, and our policies prohibit the use of the BBB Logo without being BBB Accredited."
Pinellas County Consumer Protection’s statement on Liran Grenwald:
“Pinellas County Consumer Protection confirms that it is actively investigating four complaints related to Liran Grenwald. The four complaints were received between late July and just recently.
Any other consumer who believes he/she has been victimized by Mr. Grenwald, or been a victim of illegal contracting, may file a complaint with Consumer Protection at https://www.pinellascounty.org/consumer/. “
Do you have a consumer concern? Want us to look into something for you? If you do, you need to turn to 10! Simply send an email to Turnto10@wtsp.com and tell us your story!
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