State obtains $343,000 against concrete companies accused of not completing their work

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has won a $343,006 judgment against two Indianapolis concrete companies first exposed by WRTV Investigates in February 2023.

On September 9, a Marion County judge upheld the ruling, which provides $156,006 in compensation for 29 former customers who claim they paid for work but never received a refund, even though the work was not completed.

Brandon Seitz of Carmel is one of the customers named in the lawsuit and judgment.

He hopes that the court's decision will allow him to get some of his money back.

“I'm hopeful, but in reality probably not,” Seitz said. “I think there's some evidence that a judgment was made that things were wrong, and that was certainly proven.”

Seitz said he paid Quest Concrete $2,387 to have his sidewalk repaired, but the company never did the work.

He never received a refund from Quest Concrete and had to hire another contractor to do the work.

The Indiana Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit in 2023 against Quest Concrete, Quest Exteriors and Mike Gossett, who “controlled and directed the companies' affairs.”

Gossett is not included in the ruling – it is directed exclusively against the companies Quest Concrete LLC and Quest Exteriors.

WRTV Investigates told you in 2023 that complaints were piling up against Quest Concrete and Quest Exteriors from customers claiming the companies took their money and failed to do the work they promised.

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“I think (WRTV Investigates) has brought the issue into the spotlight,” Seitz said.

The state's lawsuit alleges that Quest Concrete and Quest Exteriors repeatedly entered into contracts with consumers but failed to complete the work and failed to provide refunds despite claiming they were “bonded and insured.”

A Marion County court found that the companies violated Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act 34 times, with each violation punishable by $500, for a total civil penalty of $170,000.

“There is some justification for saying, 'Hey, this really happened, and someone is to blame and needs to be held accountable,'” Seitz said.

Quest Concrete and Quest Exteriors engaged in “unfair, abusive and deceptive acts, omissions and practices in connection with consumer transactions,” the lawsuit states.

Customers can rest assured that they will get their money back because they have received letters from the law firm ICE Miller stating that Quest Concrete will close in December 2022 and is essentially bankrupt.

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Quest Exteriors is still listed as an active business on the Indiana Secretary of State's website, but the Sadlier Circle West location has closed its doors.

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WRTV Investigates has reached out to representatives from Quest Concrete and Quest Exteriors and we are still waiting for a response.

Our investigations to date have shown that we have attempted to speak with company management and their attorney without success.

Customers reported the incident to the police, but no criminal charges were filed against the company management.

Brandon Seitz has changed his approach to hiring contractors. Instead of relying on the Internet, he now relies on recommendations from friends and family.

“Go to people you trust – friends, family, church members, community members, anyone you trust, and tell them who has done this before,” Seitz said.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to Quest Concrete, saying the company had a number of complaints from consumers alleging that the contractor collects deposits but fails to begin work and does not respond to customers' inquiries.

“It's something that we have to take very seriously when we say something like that,” said Jennifer Adamany, a spokeswoman for BBB Serving Central Indiana. “It's bad business practice not to respond to people.”

Brandon Seitz received emails from “Quest Exteriors,” a different company, but the BBB’s warning notes that the company may be affiliated with Quest Concrete.

“Several consumers informed BBB that the names 'Quest Exteriors' and 'Quest Concrete' were used interchangeably in communications with their designated salespeople,” BBB's alert states.

Mike Gossett was listed as the registered agent for Quest Exterior.

WRTV Investigates knocked on the Gossetts' door and left a business card, but we did not receive a response.

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TIPS FOR HIRING A CONTRACTOR:

• Get cost estimates in writing.
• Check here whether there are any criminal charges or civil lawsuits.
• Check for a contractor’s license.
• Ask for references and call them.
• Ask to see examples of their work.
• Ask about insurance: personal liability, workers' compensation and property damage insurance.
• Pay carefully and don't pay everything in advance.