Darnell Smith Construction

Review: The contractor disappeared after taking deposits amounting to several thousand dollars for 3 different projects for reconstruction and repairs at 2 different properties owned by my wife and me. The first project contracted on 07/22/ 2013, is in the Squirrel Hill section of the City of Pittsburgh at our home. The project is for patio with flower-box border, and off-kitchen platform with wrought iron railing. As of June 2014, this project remains only partially completed. We have made full payment of the contracted costs for this project.The second project contract dated 10/21/2013, for demolition of an existing garage at our home and rebuilding the garage at the existing site progressed only to the point of demolition. Debris and demolition waste remains on the site with some basic equipment abandoned by the contractor. The contractor disappeared after taking several thousand dollars in advance payments for construction material acquisition for the garage project.The third project is at our business property in Lawrenceville section of the City of Pittsburgh. This contract for repairs and rebuilding of a part of retaining wall was made on 03/20/2014. The contractor was paid advance for materials and labor (partial) in the amount of several thousand dollars.The contractor has disappeared, his home-phone (###-###-####) is not active, and he has not responded to messages left on his cell-phone (###-###-####). The current address for the contractor available from the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Buildings Inspections is [redacted]. The contractor's State of Pennsylvania registration is PA 104741. The contractor owes us a total of $23,900 in contracted construction services that have not been provided.Desired Settlement: We want the amounts of money paid as advance on all the 3 projects to be refunded fully with interest owed. The contracted work on all three projects has not been fulfilled. We will provide details for the advance payments.