All Forum Posts by: Stephen Smith

Quote from @Ruchit Patel:

Quote from @Adam Bartomeo:

@Neal Coppola Thanks for the mention. I am just trying to help all of those who have been taken advantage in this terrible situation.

 I am one of that person. Desperately looking for help. 

Hi Ruchit, we are a local builder in Cape Coral finishing many of these houses.  Check out FarFan Contractors.  We are state licensed building and roofing contractor and can provide references.  I can provide lots of help and advise, not just on the construction.

look forward to hearing from you

Steve Smith

Quote from @Jelena Foskey:

Quote from @Jonathan Kurtz:

Quote from @Jessica Luan:

Hi Everyone, I am also in the mess with Black tip. He took a lot of money from me ( deposit plus construction loan draw), but nothing was ever done on my lot. I am trying to cancel the contract and look for another builder to build. Is that what everyone is doing? What are the other construction companies everyone is switching to? Any recommendation? 

 Hi Jessica,

I think there are dozens, myself included, and many who now have construction loans outstanding. How are you going about canceling the contract?

Jon

You need to send them a termination letter (that is what the attorneys have been doing with the clients I work with). Message me if you have more questions about the process. I can also recommend you a local attorney who has been handling these with Blacktip, Beattie

 @Jessica Luan whatever you do, do not just send a termination letter.  The way their contracts are written, if you terminate they can keep all money paid to them.  You have to go through a whole process by sending them a notice to cue etc.  if you go about the process correctly, you can break free without liability.  Get it wrong and you end up owing them.  This is not a quick process, but none the less, the best process and it works every time.

I would like to pass on a little bit of useful information for anybody thinking of converting their permit over to owner-builder. 

1 - You will not be able to sell the property for a minimum of 365 days from the date of issuing of the CO.

2 - The property must be for the owner's own use and occupancy and not for sale or lease which means you will not be able to rent it out.

3 - The owner-builder must ensure that all employees working on the project have the required licenses.

4 - The owner-builder must provide worker's compensation as required by Florida law.

5 - To apply for the owner builder permit, you must physical visit the building department.

There are others requirements and conditions, however these are the main items.

Also, be careful with any contractor recommending or suggesting you pull an owner-builder permit as this is usually a sign they are unlicensed or unable to pull their own permits.

FYI everyone, Cape Coral Police have passed the investigation into Blacktip over to Lee County Sheriffs financial crimes unit.  This is a great move as they have way more experience in investigating and successfully prosecuting these types of crimes.  I encourage all to file a complaint with them.

Quote from @Jessica Luan:

Hi Everyone, I am also in the mess with Black tip. He took a lot of money from me ( deposit plus construction loan draw), but nothing was ever done on my lot. I am trying to cancel the contract and look for another builder to build. Is that what everyone is doing? What are the other construction companies everyone is switching to? Any recommendation? 

 Hi Jessica,

I am working with a number of Blacktip customers.  Call the number on my website which you can find my googling FarFar Contractors in Cape Coral.  I know very well all the models of house they build, so can give you an accurate estimate and guide you thru the process.

Steve

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @Stephen Smith:

Separately, a local roofing contractor was recently caught installing shingles on a BTC property in Cape Coral.  Unfortunately, there was a stop work order in place on the property, which the roofing contractor was told by BTC was resolved.  The Cape Coral Code Compliance officer showed the roofer the various emails to BTC, which left the roofer very unhappy as he then knew he had been misled and made him liable for a fine for illegally performing work while a red stop work order was in place.

BTC appears to be continuing to cause damage to customers and other contractors.

Does the city or building department not post the property with a big red  stop work poster ?

They do, but when the roofing contractor arrived and onsite and queried the notice with BTC, they was told it is old and the issue is resolved.

Separately, a local roofing contractor was recently caught installing shingles on a BTC property in Cape Coral.  Unfortunately, there was a stop work order in place on the property, which the roofing contractor was told by BTC was resolved.  The Cape Coral Code Compliance officer showed the roofer the various emails to BTC, which left the roofer very unhappy as he then knew he had been misled and made him liable for a fine for illegally performing work while a red stop work order was in place.

BTC appears to be continuing to cause damage to customers and other contractors.

FYI, an order has been filed in the lawsuit Kiyco Concrete v BTC stating the case will go to trial in the 5 weeks starting October 14th.  Pre-trial in 9/9 and docket sounding will be October 14th.

This trial is going to be very interesting as around 30% of the debt relates to work performed on personal property, so it could prove the corporate veil has been pierced.

Quote from @Kimberly Johnson:

Quote from @Kyle Wegg:

File a criminal complaint and send it to the DOJ. Jeff Beach seems to have a lot of money from clients. 

 Does anyone have an online link where we could all do this?  

This is the name of a Cape Coral police department detective investigating BalckTip and Beattie Development.

This website will not let me plate the telephone number or email address, but let’s try it this way.

Detective Correa

Two Three Nine

Two Four Two

Three Seven One Four

jcorrea at capecoral dot gov

Quote from @Stephen Smith:

Quote from @Kimberly Johnson:

Quote from @Kyle Wegg:

File a criminal complaint and send it to the DOJ. Jeff Beach seems to have a lot of money from clients. 

 Does anyone have an online link where we could all do this?  

 If the property is within the City of Cape Coral, report it to the Cape Coral Police Department. If outside the City of Cape Coral, Lee County Sheriff Financial Crime unit.

Cape Coral Police Department are aware of BTC and Jeffrey Beach and would be happy to hear from you.

This is the name of a Cape Coral police department detective investigating BalckTip and Beattie Development.

This website will not let me plate the telephone number or email address, but let’s try it this way.

Detective Correa

Two Three Nine

Two Four Two

Three Seven One Four

jcorrea at capecoral dot gov