Maryland Court of Appeals Issues Order Upholding License Revocation of Custom Home Builder That Was Sought by Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 4, 2020

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has issued an order confirming that the license to operate for custom homebuilder JRK Contractor, LLC remains properly revoked.

On July 10, 2018, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Board of Registration revoked JRK’s new home builder registration for violating the building code, failing to place funds in escrow and failing to disclose the existence of pending lawsuits.

JRK Contractor LLC, and its principals, Fernando Guedes, Jr. and Fernando Guedes, Sr., trading as “JRK Builders,” filed several appeals that ultimately resulted in two Circuit Court cases being heard by the Court of Special Appeals. On April 27, 2020, the Court of Special Appeals ruled in favor of Montgomery County regarding both Circuit Court case appeals.

The ruling means that JRK Contractor LLC cannot build new homes in Montgomery County.

OCP sought the order after the homeowners demonstrated serious and costly construction deficiencies.

“Our office and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office received complaints or claims from four of the five homeowners who purchased homes in Bethesda from JRK Builders,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “The court’s action and legal process validates our extraordinary regulatory efforts, but unfortunately, does not serve to remedy the financial loses for these consumers.”

OCP and Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) collaborate to ensure that all new home builders and sellers are properly licensed and comply with consumer protection statues and the building code. Legal action to enforce Montgomery County statutes is provided by the County Attorney’s Office.

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection can be contacted at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp/

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Release ID: 20-236
Media Contact: Eric Friedman 240-777-3719