Mass. Contractor Fenced Out of More Work

Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly has obtained a court order shutting down a North Dartmouth-based fencing contractor accused of taking deposits from homeowners and then failing to install or properly install fences.

Reilly obtained the preliminary injunction from Bristol Superior Court Judge Frank Gaziano against South Coast Fence, based in North Dartmouth, and its owner William F. King, Jr., of Fairhaven, for reportedly taking payments from homeowners and performing incomplete or substandard work.

“This contractor is now banned from doing new fencing jobs in Massachusetts,” Reilly said. “We are focused on getting as much money as possible back for affected homeowners.”

Reilly’s lawsuit alleges that King and South Coast Fence repeatedly violated the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act by: making false representations about how quickly the company would deliver and install fencing; improperly installing fencing; failing to render services despite having received most of the contract price; and refusing homeowner demands for a deposit refund.

Reilly is seeking restitution for homeowners, as well as civil penalties.

To date, 14 consumers have filed verifiable complaints against South Coast Fence or King alleging that he failed to complete jobs or did substandard work.