Tinton Falls home remodeler accused of bilking customers since 2010

Allegations of slipshod construction, incomplete projects, nonexistent paperwork and threats against customers land a Tinton Falls home contractor in trouble with state investigators.

Erick Niemann and his companies, Niemann General Contractor Builder LLC and Restore The Shore Contracting LLC, are accused of operating without state registration and a total of six consumer protection violations, according to the office of acting New Jersey Attorney General Robert Lougy.

The complaint, filed in Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold, alleges violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, Contractors' Registration Act, and regulations concerning registration and home improvements, over the past six years.

Prosecutors seek restitution for customers, reimbursement of attorney fees and costs, and civil penalties, and a permanent injunction to prevent Niemann from owning or operating home improvement concerns in New Jersey.

Authorities believe that Niemann, who they said operated under more than a half-dozen business identities, cheated at least 17 customers around the state, largely centered on basement renovations and patio and deck construction.

Investigators contend that between September 2010 and March 2016, Niemann and his companies neglected to provide written contracts; left some projects undone either for weeks, for months, or permanently; added job components beyond original contracts, neglected agreed-upon work, and charged extra for both; performed work that other contractors were hired to repair; stopped projects unless more money was submitted, and threatened some customers with construction liens unless they did so; and evaded questions from consumers about uncompleted work.