An Ellwood City man reportedly claimed under oath to be a licensed contractor after being accused of contractor fraud.

Jason Dean Hemphill, 43, of Hemphill Contracting, was charged with one felony count each of perjury, deceptive business practices, deceptive advertisement, false statement to induce agreement, misrepresenting contractor identifying information and receiving advance payment and failing to perform after planning a bathroom remodel between April 2022 and December 2024 for a Cranberry Township residence.

Police said Hemphill created a written agreement with a Cranberry resident on April 3, 2022 for a bathroom remodel. The remodel was estimated to cost between $60,000 and $70,000 and take six to 12 weeks.

The family contacted police when the work was not finished Dec. 28, 2024.

Police said according to the agreement, Hemphill would receive 30% of the project funds before beginning, 30% upon rough-in completion, 30% after the tile work was completed and 10% upon project completion. The family reported paying Hemphill a downpayment of $11,000 on July 6, 2022, police said.

Work on the renovation began Aug. 16, 2024, according to the affidavit. It would include installing marble tile on the floors, walls and shower, all related trim, grout and seal work and installation of a vanity, toilet, recessed lighting, bathroom fan and plumbing hardware.

According to police, Hemphill sent the family eight invoices between July 6, 2022, and Dec. 16, 2024, totaling $73,548.73. While the family did not pay the final two invoices totaling about $8,466, they had paid about $65,080 to Hemphill at this point, police said.

Police said after Hemphill damaged a wall shared with an adjoining bedroom, which caused the closet system to collapse, the family refused to pay more until receiving a final estimate for the project. Hemphill responded with a final bill of $11,100 on Dec. 8, 2024.

Police said they observed the bathroom to be in “substantial disrepair” when they inspected it. Police said two independent contractors estimated 50-55% of the work had been completed.

Police said contractors estimated another $1,480 of plumbing work would complete the project. Contractors also estimated $14,500 to correct and complete the tile work and $18,900 to complete the project.

Police later verified Hemphill’s contracting license expired Dec. 28, 2022. Police said in a Feb. 26 court hearing, Hemphill testified he was a licensed contractor.

Hemphill’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 21 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty. He’s represented by attorney Owen Seman of The Law Offices of Seman & Saba.