A Cape Coral contractor facing over a dozen active lawsuits from homeowners in Lee County surrendered his general contracting license earlier this month.
Last month, WINK Investigates first told you about Delta Build Services and its owner, Ronald Riccardi, after a homeowner sued the contractor and his business, citing work that was never completed.
“If I can put my story out there and save one person from a similar situation, then hopefully I’ve done my job,” Jason Renner, a Cape Coral homeowner, told WINK Investigates in August.
Now, two more homeowners have come forward, claiming they too paid for work and waited years, but say it was never completed.
“It’s just a very depressing feeling,” Ruchit Patel, an out-of-state homeowner, said.
Abigail Tamru, another out-of-state homeowner, said she’s in the same boat.
“There’s a lot of sleepless night and stress,” Tamru said.
Two more homeowners come forward
Contracts Patel and Tamru signed show they both hired Delta Build Services in 2021.
Documents they provided show both terminated their contracts with the company three years later, citing work that never got done.
Patel and Tamru sent WINK Investigates photos they say shows what their homes looked like after the years-long wait.
This is what Abigail Tamru says her home looked like after terminating her contract with Delta Build Services in March
Credit: Abigail Tamru
This is what Ruchit Patel says his home looked like after terminating his contract with Delta Build Services in June.
Credit: Ruchit Patel
“I still haven’t recovered from it financially,” Patel said.
Records show Patel paid over $216,000 to Delta Build Services, while Tamru paid nearly $240,000.
Years later, both say things have gotten worse.
Court records show they’re both left fighting liens filed by Delta Build Services.
“Because there’s a lien on the property now, I can’t refinance,” Tamru said. “I have to go ahead and hire an attorney in order to fight this lien.”
In addition to the lien filed against Patel’s property, court records show he is also fighting a lawsuit seeking to foreclose his home.
“I have to pay a lawyer more money to defend that,” Patel said. “I don’t have money. This is reality.”
Delta Build Services’ lawsuit against Patel claims the company filed a lien on Patel’s home worth “$58,881.25 which remains unpaid to date.”
WINK Investigates emailed Delta Build Services attorneys to request an interview about the liens and lawsuits.
In an email, they said, in-part, Delta Build Services appreciated WINK Investigates reaching out, but declined “to provide any information or comment regarding pending or upcoming cases.”
“As attorneys, we have taken an oath to uphold the law and protect the public,” Delta Build Services attorneys said in a statement. “Our duty includes ensuring that our client, Delta Build Services, complies with the law while also protecting its interests and pursuing amounts that are legally owed. We will continue to take all appropriate legal action, as necessary, to enforce our client’s rights.”
Contractor surrenders license following complaints
In the meantime, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s [DBPR] Construction Industry Licensing Board voted to approve a settlement with Riccardi, owner of Delta Build Services, earlier this month.
“The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline,” according to its website.
According to the settlement, Riccardi agreed to surrender his license but did not admit to wrongdoing.
The ruling followed an investigation by the DBPR related to numerous complaints filed by different homeowners.
After the ruling, Cape Coral building officials confirmed in an email that all Delta Build Services permits were placed on hold.
This is also reflected on the city’s website.
WINK Investigates emailed Delta Build Services attorneys to ask if the business is still operating, but received no response.
On Tuesday, WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean visited Delta Build Services’ office, but the door was locked and no one answered the door.
On Tuesday, WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean visited Delta Build Services’ office, but the door was locked and no one answered the door.
Credit: WINK News
Local homeowners warn buyers to beware
Meanwhile, Patel and Tamru say this situation has drained their bank accounts.
“Anxiety and depression will always be there because when you go like, a decade behind in your life, you can’t really overcome it,” Patel said.
Documentation Tamru sent WINK Investigates shows she filed formal complaints with DBPR and the Cape Coral Police Department.
At the time, both agencies responded to Tamru’s complaints, confirming they were investigating.
Tamru and Patel say they are both working to finish their homes with new contractors, but they want to warn others.
“This is not okay,” Tamru said. “This gotta stop.”
The lawsuit filed by Delta Build Services against Patel is pending.
WINK Investigates is committed to following this story and will update you as we learn more.