FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thurs., July 18, 2019
CONTACT:
Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison
Unlicensed Flagstaff Home Builder Pleaded Guilty to Contracting Without a License
PHOENIX, Ariz., (July 18, 2019) –On Wed., July 10, 2019, Michael Valenzuela, 30 of Flagstaff, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor in the Flagstaff Justice Court.
The case stems from an AZ ROC investigation which found that Valenzuela, DBA Valenzuela’s Construction LLC, was paid $243,466 by Flagstaff property owners to build a new residence. Valenzuela falsely told the property owners he was currently licensed to do electrical and plumbing work and would soon be licensed for the large project.
The property owners told the assigned AZ ROC investigator they noticed issues with the project from the beginning, including beams being cut too short during the framing process and the concrete slab for the garage being too low. These mistakes were costly to the property owners, who had to also pay for the extra materials needed to fix the errors.
When the house was nowhere near completion months after the scheduled date, the property owners contacted AZ ROC and discovered that not only was Valenzuela not a licensed plumber, electrician or general contractor, but he was never a licensed contractor in Arizona nor did he ever apply.
Valenzuela was fined $1,921 and ordered to pay restitution to the victims. The amount, however, will be determined in a restitution hearing which has not yet been scheduled.
AZ ROC frequently receives complaints where an unlicensed entity was referred to the victim by a friend or coworker. No matter where the referral comes from, always check the license at www.roc.az.gov or give the AZ ROC a call at 1-877-MY-AZROC (1-877-692-9762).
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