Our first builder, Paul Lutz, Ravencrest Builders, signed a contract, took our deposit, and then filed for bankruptcy before starting any work on our custom home. We litigated, ultimately winning our claim after a lengthy 5 ½ year legal battle that cost $70,000 in attorney fees. Ten years later, Paul Lutz has still never returned our deposit.
In February 2016, we signed a contract with Ravencrest Homes and paid a $40,000 deposit. Owner Paul Lutz never commenced work — his contractor's license was suspended in May 2016, and he subsequently filed for bankruptcy. Ten years later, he has never returned our deposit.
What we expected to be a simple recovery claim form turned into a prolonged legal fight. We applied to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) Residential Recovery Fund, but the ROC fought our claim at every turn — losing three rulings and three appeals before finally paying out. The battle spanned five and a half years and cost us $70,000 in attorney fees.
Paul Lutz has since relocated to Colorado, where he operates a new construction business: Lutz Build This.
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