Homeowners Speak Out Against South Florida Window Company Facing at Least 16 Lawsuits

WSVN 7News Investigates

At least 16 lawsuits have been filed against a South Florida window company, with homeowners claiming they paid thousands of dollars but never received their new windows. State regulators are now investigating the company, and several homeowners are speaking out about their experiences.

A Family’s Nightmare

Justin and Maricel Lafond moved into their Broward home about a year and a half ago. The house has a special meaning to them, as it was built by Maricel’s parents from Trinidad. The couple decided to install new impact windows, and after searching online, they found Alco Windows and Doors LLC.

A Smooth Sales Pitch

The employee who visited their home gave them an estimate and helped them apply online for financing. Maricel Lafond recalled, “He told us it was the easiest process ever. He was going to send us the link, and he sent us the link, and perfect. Bam! We were approved.” The couple got a loan for nearly $48,000 and transferred the money to Alco Windows and Doors LLC to expedite the work.

Delays and Disappointment

Despite having the money, the company didn’t start work for nine months. Maricel Lafond said, “Called in about February. Now, it’s April, and every month that passed, it just kept on delaying and delaying.” When the work finally began, the couple was shocked by the poor quality of the work. Maricel Lafond recalled, “That was the day they started ruining my house. They came in, and they were banging my new windows like you’d never believe. They weren’t cutting the openings correctly, and they were trying to kind of fit something really big into a small opening.”

A Messy Situation

The windows and doors were put in, but Justin and Maricel were left with a mess. The windows popped and cracked randomly, and stucco was exposed. They asked Alco Windows and Doors LLC to fix the problems, but workers removed the windows and reinstalled them, and the work permit hasn’t been closed.

State Investigation

State records show Alco Windows and Doors LLC is registered to Luis Alvarez, and the business has a Doral address. However, no one was at the address, and an eviction notice was found on the window. The company’s phone number went straight to voicemail, and no one answered the door or responded to phone calls.

Consumer Complaints

At least 16 lawsuits have been filed against Alco Windows and Doors LLC in the past year. According to court records, customers say after Alco Windows and Doors LLC was paid, little to no work was ever done. Ana Vieira, another victim of the company’s tactics, said, “I want justice to be done for myself.” She took out a $12,000 loan to pay for her new windows, but never received them.

Regulatory Action

The State Attorney General’s Office is investigating Alco Windows and Doors LLC, and has received over 30 consumer complaints. The office cannot comment further at this time.

Conclusion

Homeowners like Justin and Maricel Lafond and Ana Vieira are speaking out against Alco Windows and Doors LLC, hoping to warn others about the company’s tactics. They want to make sure that others see through the company’s claims before hiring them.

FAQs

Q: How many lawsuits have been filed against Alco Windows and Doors LLC?
A: At least 16 lawsuits have been filed against the company in the past year.

Q: What did the company promise to homeowners?
A: The company promised to install new impact windows and doors, and to make the process easy and hassle-free.

Q: What happened to the homeowners who hired the company?
A: Homeowners who hired the company reported delays, poor quality work, and never receiving their new windows.

Q: Is the State Attorney General’s Office investigating the company?
A: Yes, the office is investigating Alco Windows and Doors LLC and has received over 30 consumer complaints.