The Better Business Bureau says Reno Renovators' corporate owners, Western Landmark Enterprises LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy back on July 21st.
Those who believe they were owed services by the company can submit a proof of claim form to the bankruptcy court on Booth Street in Reno.  Â
The case number of the bankruptcy filing is 16-50909-BTB. To file a claim, go to http://bit.ly/2ajS9XQ
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Jeri Reece is trying to get her front entry re-tiled, her fireplace mantle replaced, and one of her bathrooms upgraded. After doing her research, she decided to sign a contract with Reno Renovators. Reece says the company had been in business for nearly 30 years and had good online reviews. She accepted its $12,000 bid and paid a 50% deposit.
"So they collected nearly $6,000 from me and I have no idea where they're at, who to contact, what's going on," Reece said.
Reece wrote the check on July 7, and it was cashed the next day. She says she continued to work with her designer until July 19, when the call went straight to voicemail. The next day, the company phones had been disconnected and the office was closed. The Better Business Bureau confirmed that Reno Renovators went out of business.
"It's almost like they dropped off the face of the earth," Reece said. "Everyone I've talked to and everyone I've been working with has tried to contact them and they have the same problem."
Channel 2 was also unable to contact the contractor or the designer, despite trying multiple locations and phone numbers. Reece says she knows of at least one other person who paid a $2,300 deposit, and was ripped off.
Reno Renovators is a licensed contracting company, so Reece could get some help from the Nevada State Contractors Board, through its Residential Recovery Fund.
"In this case, if you put money down and the company is no longer in business, there might be some compensation or ability to bring back some of that money that you've lost," Tim Johnston, President of Better Business Bureau said.
Johnston says Reece has done everything right, including hiring an attorney and doing her homework on the business, ahead of time. He says there are some simple things anyone should do when they hire a contractor.
"Look for somebody that has a track record that you can look at, that you can see what that track record happens to be," Johnston said. "Get your agreements in writing and make sure that if you're putting money down, that you're only putting down as much as what's required."
Reece is hopeful she and others will eventually get their money back. She has already started dealing with the Nevada State Contractors Board.
"I have a claim in with them," Reece said. "I filed a police report. It was accepted, and I'm in the process of filing a claim with their insurance company."
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has recorded her report as Grand Larceny, a category B felony.
"It doesn't make sense to me," Reece said. "They seemed so reputable and so nice. I just keep hoping that I hear something but it's been almost two weeks and we haven't heard anything."
