Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Closed home builder says it wants to help buyers

Arista Builders officials say they will contact buyers about finishing half-built homes and might get others to help.

By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published February 25, 2005

PORT RICHEY - Arista Builders, the company that left more than 20 people with unfinished homes when it abruptly closed this month, now says it plans to work things out with its customers.

Company president Samuel Meli issued a news release this week saying the builder will contact each of its customers "to provide individual attention to each customer contract." Arista is even considering "enlisting the efforts of other builders" to complete the work, the news release said.

The company "is working hard to make things right between their customers and vendors," Meli wrote.

But he left no phone number, e-mail address or fax number for anyone - customers or the media - to reach him. Phone messages to his business went unreturned.

One couple told the Pasco Times the company is trying to work things out with them. But two other customers said they have yet to hear from the builder, who builds homes in Pasco, Hernando, north Pinellas and northwest Hillsborough counties.

Maria Avila visited the company's pale blue office on Regency Park Boulevard on Thursday morning, hoping to get answers. All she found was an empty parking lot, tightly drawn shades and no answer at the door.

She hasn't heard from Arista.

"We are desperate," said Mrs. Avila, who gave the builder a $24,000 down payment last spring to rebuild her Port Richey home.

She and her husband, Manuel, have been living with their son since a fire destroyed their home last year. Construction has not yet started. The couple plans to hire a lawyer.

"I can't wait anymore," Mrs. Avila said. "It's been too long."

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating Arista Builders, spokesman Doug Tobin said. Because it is an open case, Tobin declined to discuss specifics or say whether detectives have spoken to Meli.

The county building department shows Meli's status as "lacking," which means he cannot pull any new permits in Pasco unless he presents updated workers' compensation forms. Arista's membership in the Pasco Building Association has lapsed, although Meli still has a "current, active" building contractor license with the state.

Neither Meli nor Arista Builders have filed for bankruptcy.

With the company sinking last month, Meli tried to persuade Accent Custom Homes to buy out his company. Once Accent saw the extent of Arista's debts, however, the deal was off.

Joanna Panopoulos, co-owner of Accent Homes, said Arista has more than 20 customers with unfinished work. About a dozen of them have hired Accent Homes to finish the job, she said.

But she emphasized there is no arrangement for Accent Homes to take over Arista's projects.

"It's been heartbreaking on our part because we see customers that don't have anywhere to live and they've made their accommodations (to sell their old homes) so they can go into their (new) homes," Panopoulos said. "We're trying to help the customers because we understand how hard it is."

Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com

Customers who have a signed contract with Arista Builders but have not received services from the builder can call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office at toll-free 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7488. Ask for Detective Jeff Peake.

[Last modified February 25, 2005, 00:52:18]