State yanks home builder's license

A Sparks-based homebuilder plans to appeal state revocation of its contractors license.

Work has stopped, meanwhile, on about 100 homes that SierraSage LLC had under way in the Truckee Meadows, and a company executive doubts that any other contractor will step in.

The Nevada State Contractors Board this month revoked the licenses of SierraSage LLC and Reno-based Solano Development.

SierraSage had been trying to turn around the troubled operations of Solano Development.

When it revoked the contractors license of SierraSage, the state board cited violations ranging from failure to pay for materials to failure to comply with the terms of a contract.

The revocation of the license held by Solano Development, meanwhile, was based on claims that, among other complaints, the company engaged in substandard workmanship, failed to meet financial requirements and acted fraudulently.

Bill Rheinschild, the manager of SierraSage, said last week the state board's action didn't protect the interests of homebuyers.

He said his company was taking over the operations of Solano Development, which had encountered financial problems and complaints from buyers.

Projects built by Solano Development, which came to Reno from Sacramento in 1995, included Bella Terra at Arrowcreek and Canterbury Place in northwest Reno.

In the early months of this year, suppliers filed 31 mechanics' liens against Solano projects.

Rheinschild said his company's attempts to set Solano Development straight were hampered by staff of the state contractors board who demanded financial reports every two weeks.

"The staff has gone overboard in bullying our employees," Rheinschild said.

Now, he said, the company can't get to its own worksite, leaving homes in various stages of completion.

Other contractors are reluctant to finish the jobs.

"Why would any contractors want to get involved with this mess?" Rheinschild asked.

George Lyford, director of investigations for the state contractors board, said consumer complaints about Solano Development began appearing more than a year ago, and the board has been trying to resolve the situation since last October.

"Finally, the board made a decision based on the evidence," he said.

Lyford said state officials believe the two companies have common ownership.

Rheinschild said the company hopes it's able to file an appeal in federal court because it's not confident it can get a fair hearing from state officials.

In other disciplinary action involving northern Nevada companies this month, the state contractors board:

* Revoked the license of Robert Dore Construction, a carpentry firm in South Lake Tahoe, for failure to pay for materials or services, failure to establish financial responsibility and several other violations.

* Fined Skyhigh Builders of Carson City $2,500 for substandard workmanship, failure to obtain a building permit and several other violations.

* Placed a one-year letter of reprimand in the file of Moon Construction of Spring Creek for contracting beyond the scope of its license.

* Placed a letter of reprimand in the file of Rocky Mountain Builders & Supply of Sparks for failure to comply with a contract or warranty.