The Deck Dude, LLC (AKA Jonathan Cherup) absconded with my $17,000 deposit! Never did any work. Excuse after excuse. Admitted he wouldn't be able to do the job. Yet, refuses to refund my $17K!!!
I contracted for a deck re-build using Azek material on 5/26/2022. The work was to begin in about 3 weeks, but the contractor/owner had said it might be as soon as one week.
The job involved replacing all the wood decking boards and the wood railing with new Azek material. Upon signing, I gave a deposit of almost $17,000. $5400 was for Labor (1/3 of the labor), the balance was for all the material (up-front).
Today is almost one year later (5/8/2023) No deck. No $17K refund. No word from Jonathan Cherup. EMBEZZLEMENT!
For six months after signing the contract, Mr. Cherup had excuse after excuse. We started to joke about what his next excuse might be. But, in reality, we had come to the grim conclusion that we were being swindled.
Finally, approaching winter, Mr. Cherup says he can't do the job. His doctor said he needed to rest. He had managed to take on several other jobs during all this time. But, as for our job -- apparently he had no time.
We asked for our money to be refunded. He says he can't do that until he sells a property up north! It has been 6 months since that time, the property has never even been listed for sale, and we have not heard a "peep" from Mr. Cherup.
The Michigan State Police have been notified, and they have investigated my claim. Everything that I stated was found to be true. I am waiting for the 1 year mark for the DA to prosecute.
So, STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!
