FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Ohio — A Lancaster man and his remodeling business are at the center of a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who says the company took money from local homeowners and left behind unfinished or shoddy work.
Dwight W. Artrip and his company, The Painting Co. Inc. — also known as TPC or The Preferred Contractor — are being sued in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court. The lawsuit accuses Artrip and his company of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
The Attorney General’s Office says at least 12 customers filed complaints after paying the company for home remodeling projects, mainly kitchen and bathroom work, that were either incomplete or poorly done. Those customers reported a combined $11,900 in losses.
Despite the name, The Painting Co. was not primarily a painting business. Instead, it operated as a general home-improvement contractor.
According to the lawsuit, Artrip accepted large deposits, delayed work, sometimes failed to do the work at all, and asked for more money before finishing what he started. The filing also claims he performed poor-quality work, misled customers about refunds, and didn’t inform them of their legal right to cancel contracts.
“Ohioans deserve contractors who show up, follow through and do the job right — not one who provides an endless cycle of excuses, delays and disappearing acts,” Yost said in a statement.
The Attorney General is asking the court to order Artrip to pay back the homeowners, face civil penalties, and stop doing business unless he follows the law.