Las Vegas residents, especially seniors, are being warned against a contractor accused of deceitful practices and targeting the older population, particularly veterans. News 3 LV reports that Kevin Raynell Watson of Powatt, LLC, has allegedly misrepresented himself as a licensed contractor capable of executing home remodels and design projects, scamming two senior veterans out of more than $150,000 and delivering substandard home renovations with inferior materials.
Watson is said to have used images and videos from legitimate companies, passing these off as examples of his own work. Known for his requests for large upfront payments via wire transfers, Watson has been operating with insidious precision; targeting the vulnerable and leaving their homes in near ruinous states. According to 8 News Now, the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) has issued a public call for any information regarding Watson or interactions with him.
David Behar, the Executive Officer of the NSCB, urges caution, saying, "Kevin Watson is someone the public should avoid at all costs, especially seniors. I want to remind the public to always trust their instincts and take time to properly vet any person you are seeking to hire and invite into your home – don’t just take their word for it," he told 8 News Now. The board also emphasizes the importance of verifying a contractor’s license and watching out for aggressive sales tactics and signs like 'today-only' pricing, demands for large down payments, or reluctance to detail the terms of a project in writing.
For those seeking to protect themselves from fraudulent contractors, the NSCB provides several resources and a means to verify a contractor's license through their website, app, or by direct calling. Consumers are given up to four years to file a complaint if they hire a licensed contractor and two years with an unlicensed one – a window that, although generous, becomes a chasmic void into which life savings and hope can cruelly fall.
