NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2007
Contact: Brian Livingston, Assistant Director of Communications for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors: (602) 542-1525 X7130; 602-510-6239 (cell)
ROC Revokes Gomez Pools & Spas license, Warns Homeowners
PHOENIX – The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) has revoked the contractor’s license of Gomez Pools & Spas after the company violated ROC statutes. A number of complaints have been filed against Gomez Pools & Spas alleging problems ranging from abandonment to workmanship issues. These complaints are currently being processed by the ROC.
“The ROC believed the best course of action to protect the health, welfare and safety of the Yuma community was to stop Gomez Pools & Spas from continuing to conduct business. We are taking all appropriate steps to investigate and resolve the complaints against Gomez Pools & Spas.” said Brian Livingston, Assistant Director of Communications at the ROC.
The ROC suggests that all consumers affected by the activities of Gomez Pools & Spas file a complaint with the ROC immediately. Consumers can download a complaint form from the ROC website (www.azroc.gov). Upon completing and signing the form consumers may mail or drop off the completed complaint form at any ROC office. Due to the number of complaints that have already been filed against Gomez Pools & Spas the ROC urges consumers to file their complaints as soon as possible. Homeowners that prevail in their claims through the complaint process may, upon disciplinary action being taken against the contractor, file a claim to recover actual damages with the Residential Contractor’s Recovery Fund.
The Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund was established in 1981 to assist residential homeowners in the recovery of actual damages caused by a licensed contractor. Each residential homeowner has the ability to recover up to $30,000 in actual damages caused by a licensed contractor. The maximum allowable payout from the Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund is $200,000 per license. The Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund pays claims on a first come, first served basis and for this reason the Registrar urges affected homeowners to file their complaint as soon as possible. Consumers also have the right to file civil claims against the contractor at the same time they file their complaint with the ROC.
To help prevent consumers from becoming a victim when hiring a contractor, the ROC provides the public with information resources that can be found on their website (www.azroc.gov). The ROC encourages anyone thinking of hiring a contractor to check the ROC website or call the ROC to verify that the person or company that they are hiring is licensed to work in Arizona and is in current license standing with the ROC. Consumers are strongly encouraged to check references provided by the contractor and to get multiple bids before finalizing any contract. It is also important not to be pressured into any contract and to remember “if a bid sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
For the latest information on this investigation or the status of any registered contractors in Arizona, please contact the ROC at 888-271-9286 or www.azroc.gov. Media inquires should be directed to Brian Livingston at 602-542-1525 ext. 7130 or 602-510-6239 (cell).
The ROC regulates construction contractors in the state by providing a licensing and regulatory system for residential and commercial contractors designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Additionally, the ROC offers financial protection to residential consumers who use licensed contractors through its Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund. Established in 1931, the ROC operates 11 offices statewide. For more information about the agency, call 602-542-1525 or toll-free outside Maricopa County at 888-271-9286 or visit www.azroc.gov.