For background, we entered into an agreement with Castor Construction to remodel property located…read moreat 1408 Brickell Bay Drive, Miami, FL 33131 on April 13, 2023 with work beginning after permits acquired September 2023. The remodel of the unit was never completed, was replete with errors, and delayed. Instead of completing and complying with the terms of the agreement in good faith, Castor Construction breached the agreement including, without limitation, failing to complete the remodel, failing to meet any of the agreed upon deadlines, poor and incomplete work, on the unit, and departing the project in February 2024 without cause.
As an example, in November 2023, Castor Construction blamed the delay on heart attacks, PTSD, and the firing of employees. Shortly thereafter, the poor and incomplete work continued with a new COO, who was then fired and rehired. This all surrounds a mysterious "health" condition affecting Dennis Prieto, the CEO of Castor Construction. Minimal work was performed thereafter, but a February 2024 inspection demonstrated the various issues. When the failure to make progress and the permit expiration was raised with Castor Construction, the new project manager of Castor Construction (Jaelly, Dennis's wife) informed me that Mr. Prieto (CEO of Castor Construction) had a "personal issue." Jaelly, Dennis' wife, provided information on the "personal issue."
Due to Castor Construction Group, LLC's defaults and breaches, Castor Construction Group, LLC was terminated from work on our property and the we have hired another contractor.
The termination letter also requested an accounting of the project including, but not limited to, a list of all milestones, a breakdown of all activity relating to the project, all monies collected, monies spent, labor incurred, invoices paid, proof of payment, any subcontractor agreements, any subcontractor payments, communication between Castor Construction Group, LLC and any subcontractors, and other documents relating to or regarding the project. We also through our attorney have demanded the refund of all monies paid and indemnification based upon the agreement which included a warranty on all of the work. None of this as ever delivered.
On April 17, 2024, Dennis Prieto responded to the termination letter claiming an "unforeseen health issue that temporarily halted my ability to oversee business operations for over three weeks." He also claimed that he would provide "detailed breakdown, including all milestones, financial transactions, labor costs, invoices, communications with subcontractors, and other relevant project documentation by May 3, 2024." Castor Construction also proposed a structured settlement. Just as with the agreement and the remodel project, Castor Construction and Dennis Prieto went radio silent after April 17, 2024. Despite follow up emails by undersigned counsel, neither Castor Construction nor Mr. Prieto responded to any emails.
I would urge everyone to avoid a huge headache and not consider Castor Construction Group for your needs.