Stephen Estrada, Estrada Design Build, Estrada Inc Terrible, costly mistake ending in project abandonment Odenton Maryland

We engaged Estrada Design Build (same person, previous company name) in May 2013 to construct a pool and pool pavilion in our backyard, to create a pergola on our side patio, to landscape and fence in the entire area and to restore the yard to its previous state when complete. The contract specified a substantial completion date of July 31, 2013. He began collecting progress payments immediately, and over the course of several months we paid him several hundred thousand dollars.

We eventually learned through Estrada’s subcontractors and vendors that he did not use our payments to pay for the work being done at our house. Although he charged us for the work and the materials, he failed to distribute the money to the vendors and subcontractors. These workers understandably refused to perform further work until they were paid under their agreements with Estrada. Estrada refused or was unable to pay them, and he abandoned our project and declared bankruptcy to avoid having to return payments for work that was incomplete or faulty.

In an effort to claim the many progress payments he collected, Estrada cut corners and we believe engaged contractors who were not properly licensed under Maryland law. I have statements from three named vendors and one who wishes to remain anonymous describing the substandard work in laying our patio and in the foundation and structure of our pavilion. After removing all permits from his name and finding new contractors, we discovered problems with his design and variations from the permitted design that caused substantial delays and additional expense to our project.

We filed a claim against his company through the appropriate channels in Maryland, and he responded by declaring bankruptcy so that we would not collect against his bond. We can substantiate each of these claims and truly wish to help others avoid the costly and time consuming mistake that we made in hiring Stephen Estrada.