LAKELAND, Fla. — A Hillsborough County man has been arrested on multiple charges, accused of contracting without a license as well as scheming to defraud.
According to an affidavit ABC Action News uncovered, a Polk County couple wrote a check for $4,200 to Weatherland Company, hoping to build a new porch.
This work would have required a license contractor and a permit in Polk County. Records indicate no permits was pulled or applied for.
The incident report says after about five weeks the victims, Kay and Dennis Hinks, called the suspect who gave excuses, but said he would begin the work soon. The suspect never started the work and provided a number of excuses.
That’s when the victims researched the Weatherland Company and came across complaints against the company, discovering that the suspect, Stuart Sandrin had given them a false name of Stuart Michaels.
ABC Action News discovered Stuart Sandrin is accused of several similar scams in Pinellas, Paso and Sarasota counties.
According to court records, Sandrin was also hired by another victim to build a vinyl fence and asked for a $2,500 deposit. He is accused of never beginning this job, just like with the Hinks. Victims were unable to contact Sandrin after they submitted the deposit.
ABC Action News searched the Department of Business and Professional Regulations and found Sandrin’s supposed company, ‘Weatherland Company’ was never licensed and that Sandrin never applied for a license.
Sandrin is scheduled for arraignment in Polk County on August 6.
You can read about the complaints against the Weatherland Company on Better Business Bureau here.
Want to check if your contractor has a license? Click here.
If you believe a contractor you’ve hired is not licensed or have a complaints, file it here.
