The Department of Consumer Protection issued a statement announcing that it is investigating a home improvement contractor from Danielson after receiving multiple complaints about his work.
According to DCP, they've received 27 complaints about Justin Lanno and his business, CT Heat Pros LLC, since January. In the notice, DCP said that Lanno was not appropriately licensed for some of the heating and cooling work he's reportedly done.
DCP said the complaints accuse the company of improper or incomplete installations of HVAC units, issues with integrating new systems with existing ones, piping water leaks, inappropriately sized duct work, instances where no permits were pulled for work done, missed appointments, unanswered requests for refunds and other shoddy workmanship.
When NBC Connecticut reached out to Lanno for comment, he said his company does have the appropriate licensing. A search of Lanno's company on the state database showed that while the company is not licensed to do heating and cooling work, there is a contractor who was appropriately licensed and registered under the company name.
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Lanno says he oversees those employees, who are licensed technicians, and does not do any field work. Lanno said he has been trying to work with DCP and to resolve any complaints, saying most situations result in amicable resolution. He also disputed the number of complaints, saying there are far fewer than 27. He asked that anyone with concerns about his company reach out to them.
“We will 100% send a licensed technician to address any issues. We are trying our very best to combat the struggles of a growing small business and keep everyone cool,” Lanno wrote in an email to NBC Connecticut.
DCP is requesting anyone with information on Lanno and his work to contact them as part of the investigation. They also offered the following tips for anyone looking to have work done in their home.
- Every person doing the installation of the heating, piping, cooling, and duct work must be licensed through DCP, after successfully passing their occupational licensing examination.
- Home Improvement Contractors are extremely limited in the scope of work they can complete.
- Consumers can request to see the licenses and apprenticeship cards of the installers at their home.
- To ensure proper installation of the systems, good workmanship and code compliance for the installation: A permit must be obtained from the local municipal building department before any work is started in the home or on the property. Once the permit is obtained, the work can proceed.
You can file a complaint with DCP by emailing dcp.investigations@ct.gov or calling 860-713-6180. Consumers may also file a complaint online or chat directly with a member of the DCP Complaint Center by visiting ct.gov/DCP and clicking “File a Complaint.”
