RE GONZALEZ CONSTRUCTION

We contracted RE Gonzalez Construction under Richard Gonzalez (CA License #1065974 previously Blue Trade) to build our custom home. The signed agreement, dated October 2024, reflected a total project cost of over $1.5 million. Sadly, our experience did not align with the expectations we had for a professional, licensed contractor. The only work that was ever completed was clearing the lot of some trees and brush. No building, permitting, or verified subcontractor work followed. Richard Gonzalez failed to provide any documentation explaining where project funds were spent. When asked, he admitted he had no receipts or records, and even stated that he could not recall the names of subcontractors he had allegedly met with. Despite this, he refused to return unused funds and demanded to retain over $92,000, with more than $64,000 claimed for simply meeting with subcontractors—none of whom we ever saw or received documentation for. We also discovered that the project updates we were given were not truthful. Richard told us that plans had been submitted to the City, but we confirmed directly with the city that no such submissions were ever made. This significantly delayed our ability to move forward. Ultimately, the project came to a complete halt. He also refused to sign off on the contract termination with our construction lender unless he could keep all funds used and unused, preventing us from hiring a new contractor and delaying our build indefinitely. We are sharing this review to help other homeowners make informed decisions. While RE Gonzalez Construction may have had other projects, our experience was marked by lack of documentation, unsubstantiated charges, and repeated misrepresentations. We strongly urge anyone considering this contractor to request verified references, insist on clear paper trails, and approach with caution.