A New Jersey contractor fraud investigation now involves more than $267,000 in payments from two homeowners, according to police.
Lacey Township police said Detective Brian Flynn concluded a several-month investigation into two reports of contractor fraud involving home construction and renovation work. According to Patch, the projects were supposed to have been completed by Coastal Construction Group LLC.
Police identified the company’s owner as 49-year-old Dean Rado of Galloway, New Jersey. Investigators said two victims paid $78,637.50 and $189,000, respectively, for work that was never completed or materials that were never purchased.
Police charged Rado with theft by deception and theft of movable property. He responded to headquarters May 15, where he was processed and transported to the Ocean County Jail, according to the police account published by Patch.
The Investigation Involved Two Renovation Complaints
The contractor fraud case appeared in Lacey Township’s May police blotter, which Patch published June 25. Police said the complaints involved home construction or renovation work that had been assigned to Coastal Construction Group LLC.
The report did not describe the exact projects, the payment schedule, or how much work had been completed at each property.
New Jersey Requires Contractor Registration
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs says home improvement contractor businesses must register annually with the state unless they fall under a specific exemption. The agency says home improvement includes remodeling, repairing, renovating, painting, additions, garages, basements, driveways, pools, fences, landscaping, siding, flooring, and other residential work.
The division also says home improvement jobs costing more than $500 require written contracts, and contractors must display their registration number in advertisements, business cards, commercial vehicles, business documents, and contracts.
Large Payments Need a Clear Paper Trail
Before sending major renovation money, homeowners should have the contractor’s legal name, registration number, proof of insurance, detailed scope of work, start and completion dates, payment milestones, permit responsibilities, and a written change-order process.
Payments are easier to track when each installment is tied to a completed stage of work or verified materials on site. For kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, roofs, and major repairs, photos, receipts, delivery records, inspection notes, and signed change orders can become important if the project stalls.
If a contractor avoids written terms, asks for large payments without clear milestones, or will not document materials and permits, homeowners should slow down before more money leaves their account. Once a renovation dispute becomes a fraud complaint, the missing paperwork can become part of the problem.