Buyer Beware: KRDO investigates complaints against contractor Joel Tomchek

A local shed contractor is accused of defrauding customers out of their money.

KRDO investigates complaints against Joel Tomchek of Shed Works Plus. Tomchek currently is not licensed with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.

“I lost $550,” said Robert Lee.
“I lost $1,375.25,” said Gail Hill.

Two families are out nearly $2,000, and the victim list continues to grow.

Tomchek’s business previously went by Front Range Sheds. According to the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, that business was shut down back in 2017 following complaints.

“It was a tough lesson to learn,” Lee said, as he looked at a receipt of the check he wrote Tomchek for $550. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“He did not return my calls, he did not return my money,” Hill said, as she stared at her husband in an empty conference room.

Lee and Hill share the same story. They both paid Tomchek to construct a new shed.

“We wrote him a check for $1,500,” said Hill.
“I gave him my check for $550,” said Lee.

In both cases, the two paid Tomchek a deposit for the materials, some of which were dropped off to their homes.

Hill asked Tomchek when he was going to start.

“He told me tomorrow,” said Hill.

It was a similar story with Lee.

“He said he’ll be right back the very next morning,” said Lee.

But that didn’t happen in either case.

“He just disappeared.”

“He repeatedly did not show.”

According to the Better Business Bureau, five other families dealt with similar issues in recent years. One example from a customer states, “He collected a $500 down payment…never delivered materials and wouldn’t respond to phone calls for the entire month.”

Other customers wrote:

“We can’t get him to refund our money.” “Joel didn’t return for 5 days and the walls he erected blew down because of winds.” “Paid $100 deposit…we have called him many times with no response.”

These reviews are available to read in detail on the Better Business Bureau’s website.

“They’ll pay the deposit, and then he essentially is unreachable,” said Adah Rodriguez, BBB Vice President of Development and Operations.

Rodriguez said four of the recent complaints remain unanswered.

“What does that tell you?” we asked.

“It tells me, kind of to your point, that unfortunately, the business does not care about resolving these,” Rodriguez said.

KRDO reached out to Tomchek multiple times first on the phone. In addition, our team went to Tomchek’s house to get a comment in person and to show him the documentation provided by his former customers. But despite his vehicle being parked in the driveway, he did not answer the door.

Later, we did reach Tomchek on his cell phone.

Tomchek refuted the complaints we inquired about.

We asked, “These people are paying you their hard-earned money and then canceling the contract because they are either not happy with the fact you’ve failed to return their phone calls to complete the job. That’s happened with proper documentation in two of these cases: what do you have to say about all that?”

“If somebody is not happy, then they don’t pay the final payment,” answered Tomchek.

When asked, Tomchek did not clarify if the consumer would get a refund for the deposit money already paid. This means the consumer is out the deposit with no work done.

“I want him to be stopped,” said Hill.

According to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, shed contractors are required to be licensed if they’re building sheds larger than 200 square feet. At least one of his former customers fit that requirement.

Report a scam?

Email Stephanie.Sierra@KRDO.com with the tip and any documentation that pertains to your case.