A Portland bathroom remodeling company has settled a lawsuit brought against it by the Maine Attorney General’s Office for using unlicensed employees, installing plumbing without permits and other unfair trade practices.
Bath Fitter, which is owned by National Bath Systems, was ordered under terms of the agreement in Kennebec County Superior Court to pay a $500,000 penalty upfront, with another $250,000 suspended during a five-year probationary period.
The lawsuit further accused Bath Fitter of using non-conforming construction contracts, misrepresenting the status of its employees’ licenses, excluding or reducing warranties for home construction and violating the Maine State Internal Plumbing Code.
As terms of the settlement, Bath Fitter agreed to comply with Maine law in the future or face further complaints before the same court.
Bath Fitter was also ordered to pay for any inspection by a past Bath Fitter plumbing customer who requests one, to be conducted by an independent, Maine-licensed master plumber. If the inspector finds the past work does not comply with codes and permits, Bath Fitter would also have to pay for repairs, said Assistant Attorney General Christopher Mann.
Owners of homes where Bath Fitter did work, regardless of whether they owned the homes when the work was done, have until Sept. 1 to request a free inspection by calling Bath Fitter at 1-855-798-4646 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., according Mann and the settlement order signed by both sides.
“If Bath Fitter and a current homeowner disagree as to whether or not Bath Fitter performed plumbing services at a particular address, the Maine Attorney General or her designee shall make the determination as to whether or not Bath Fitter performed plumbing service at the address in question,” according to the seven-page judgment.
Bath Fitter also agreed to send a letter to customers who received services between June 1, 2011, and June 4, 2014, regarding the settlement.
“We are pleased that this company agreed to comply with our laws, provide work by licensed plumbers when appropriate, and ensure their installations are in full compliance,” Attorney General Janet Mills said in a written statement.
Scott Dolan can be reached at 791-6304 or at:
Twitter: @scottddolan
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