The Maryland Attorney General's Office issued a final order that requires a roofing contractor to pay more than $550,000 in restitution to customers and civil penalties after the company took sizable deposits but didn't perform the contracted work.

According to an Aug. 10 release from Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, Phoenix Remodeling Group took deposits from at least 75 Maryland consumers for home improvement services, such as roof or window replacements, and then failed to perform the work it promised. 

The home improvement company and one of its officers, Rockford Hawkins, were also found to have violated the Consumer Protection Act when they collected deposits in amounts greater than permitted by Maryland law, failed to include required notices in their home improvement contracts, and sold home improvement goods and services without required licenses. The Consumer Protection Division found that Phoenix Remodeling Group collected at least $399,837.48 in deposits.

In May 2022, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission suspended the contractor and sales licenses held by Phoenix and one of its officers, Kimberly Kagen.

“Owning a home is an opportunity to build a solid foundation and invest in your family’s future,” said Attorney General Brown. “If you hire someone to make improvements to your home, you are entitled to receive the work promised so you can continue to enjoy your home and the safety and security it provides. These orders show that we’re serious about protecting Marylanders when it comes to building a future here. If you hire a contractor and they violate our consumer protection laws, we will pursue accountability.”

In March 2023, the company’s two other officers, Kagen and Andrew Avramidis, entered into consent orders with the Consumer Protection Division resolving the charges against them. They agreed to pay a total of $150,000 in civil penalties.

In addition to the restitution and civil penalties, the order prohibits Phoenix Remodeling Group and its officers from taking any deposits or other forms of advance payment from customers before providing any consumer services or goods, unless each posts a performance bond. The order also requires the company and its officers to cease offering home improvement goods or services to consumers unless they comply with Maryland’s home improvement laws.