Woman Paid $3,500 But Never Got New Windows, Contractor Charged

An Ivyland woman told police that the Doylestown contractor she hired to install new windows took her deposit payment but never performed the work.

John Salvatico, 62, has been charged with three felony counts of theft by deception and related charges. According to the affidavit, a 71-year-old Ivyland resident hired Salvatico and his company, Eastern Construction & Roofing, LLC, in January to install five new vinyl windows at her home.

The estimate to install the windows, remove the debris, caulk and seal the windows was $3,000, according to the affidavit. The homeowner issued a $2,000 check to Salvatico for the deposit on January 22, court documents say.

On February 6, the woman contacted Salvatico to ask why work had not yet started. During that conversation, it was agreed that two more windows would be installed, according to court records. The Ivyland woman sent a $800 personal check to Salvatico for the extra windows, police say.

The woman contacted Salvatico numerous times after issuing the second check, asking why work had not begun, police say. Salvatico offered several excuses, including sick and injured workers, according to the affidavit. Police say that around April 15, Salvatico told the woman that he needed more money for a plot plan and permits. She issued a $700 check to Salvatico to cover those costs.

Salvatico also told the woman that he ordered the windows from ABC Supply Company, however when she contact the suppliers, they said no such orders had been placed, according to the affidavit. Police say the woman requested a full refund on May 4, and has so far received a $500 money order from Eastern Construction & Roofing. The report says she is still owed $3,000.

At the time the warrant had been issued for Salvatico, he was already confined to Bucks County Prison after Lower Southampton police arrested him July 15 under separate accusations of deceptive practices, forgery and tampering with public documents.

According to records, a married couple in Feasterville contracted Eastern Construction & Roofing in April to tear out and rebuild their back porch. The representative who gave them an estimate of $7,095.65 for the work identified himself as John Farabella, court documents say. The couple issued a check for $3,315.65 on April 8 and a check for $2,600 on April 22, police say.

This time, work actually began at their home on Pine St. Crews removed the concrete slab with a jackhammer and piled the broken pieces in the yard, dug footing holes and cleared the ground for framing, according to the affidavit. However, that's when the work stopped.

After failed attempts to contact someone to complete the work, the Feasterville couple researched the company and discovered that John Farabella was actually Salvatico, court records show. According to police, Salvatico used the name "John Farabella" to sign the work permit and when he spoke with a representative from the township's zoning department.

Officials told NBC10 that Salvatico is currently serving a 10-year probation after pleading guilty to similar charges of deceptive practices in 2008.