The Fritz Construction Lawsuit: A Tale of Teenage Enterprise Gone Awry
Remember that ambitious teenager who built a construction company at 16? The one with dreams reaching for the rafters, plastered across news channels? Well, fasten your safety belts, folks, because Fritz Construction’s story has taken a dramatic turn – and it involves a lawsuit that could bring the whole house down.
Caden Fritz, the whiz kid behind Fritz Construction, had Minnesota buzzing with his bootstrapped success. But things started cracking when allegations of shoddy work, permitless projects, and flouting building codes arose. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry swooped in, revoking Fritz’s license and slapping him with a hefty fine (potentially $32,500, if he doesn’t clean up the mess).
Now, disgruntled clients are circling, their wallets lighter and dreams unfulfilled. Lawsuits are brewing, alleging everything from unfinished renovations to structural nightmares. It’s a cautionary tale for homeowners and a gut punch for those who believed in the teenage wunderkind.
But wait, there’s another twist! Caden claims the state’s overreaching, painting himself as a victim of bureaucratic overkill. He argues his youthful inexperience, not malicious intent, led to the slip-ups. Did adolescence trump accountability, or was this a calculated gamble that backfired?
The legal drama unfolds against the backdrop of a booming construction industry, where demand often outpaces qualified workers. Young entrepreneurs like Caden tap into this gap, but their lack of seasoning can leave a bitter taste in clients’ mouths. The Fritz Construction saga raises crucial questions about balancing ambition with expertise, and the fine line between youthful hustle and reckless endangerment.
So, where does this leave us? With more questions than answers, for sure. Will Caden weather the storm, or will the lawsuits crumble his construction dreams? Will this be a cautionary tale for aspiring entrepreneurs, or a chance for redemption and reform? Only time, and the courts, will tell.
FAQs:
What were the specific allegations against Fritz Construction?
Failing to obtain proper permits for construction projects.
Not adhering to approved building plans, potentially compromising structural integrity.
Ignoring manufacturer installation instructions, leading to potential safety hazards.
Is Caden Fritz facing criminal charges?
Currently, no criminal charges have been filed against him. The lawsuit revolves around civil claims for damages.
What advice can homeowners take away from this situation?
Always verify a contractor’s license and insurance before hiring them.
Obtain written contracts outlining project scope, timeline, and budget.
Never pay in full upfront; schedule payments based on project milestones.
Could Caden Fritz potentially regain his construction license?
He would need to comply with the Department of Labor and Industry’s requirements, including addressing outstanding complaints and paying any fines.
What’s the impact of this lawsuit on the construction industry as a whole?
It highlights the importance of qualified professionals and ethical practices in the industry.
It may lead to stricter regulations and increased scrutiny of young contractors.
Where can I find more information about the Fritz Construction lawsuit?
You can find updates on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s website, as well as in local news articles.
Remember, this is just the beginning of the story. Stay tuned as the plot thickens and the gavel falls!
Sources:
https://www.bbb.org/us/nm/albuquerque/category/construction
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/construction-podcast-defamation-lawsuit-1.6056016
Here is some additional information about Caden Fritz that I would like to share. In addition to him having at least 9 personal outstanding legal violations (which he has failed to appear in court and failed to pay — most have been sent to collections), he was also sued by his attorney for lack of payment. Even though he committed fraud and his contractor license was revoked by the Department of Labor back on Oct 2022, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship to the St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship where he is currently attending school. Nice reward for committing theft by swindle.
I have connected with numerous people who have all been scammed by Caden Fritz. All have experienced the scenario — provided Caden with a hefty deposit, Caden doing just enough work to get his second payment, and then Caden abandoning the project, leaving behind horrible work that wasn’t to code and wasn’t salvageable. Some people hired him prior to him being a licensed contractor, which left them little-to-no recourse options. Many who hired Caden while he was licensed were able to work with the Department of Labor and re-coop some of their money through the Contractor Recovery Fund. Through the whole process, Caden got away with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars and not having to pay a penny back.
Here is proof that he was taking money from his Fritz Construction customers, and instead of completing the promised projects, he was buying toys — very expensive toys. Malibu boats, a new Corvette, trucks, a BMW…all listed below. On his Facebook Marketplace post of June 14, 2022, Caden was looking to buy a Malibu boat — anything under $160K and I quote “I have cash in hand and ready to buy”. How could a 18-year-old boy have $160K in hand? This lined up perfectly with the timing of Caden collecting deposits on decks from numerous people around the twin cities. He liquidated these assets in order to appear that he was broke and had no money to pay his debts. He went to the point of selling his assets on Facebook Marketplace under his friend, Ben Gross.
Here’s a list of the known assets that he has sold or is trying to sell (we can provide screenshots if needed). Where did all this money go? Not paying any of the people he ripped off!
– 2014 BMW x5 – xDrive 50i Sport Utility 4D, 110K miles (Caden was asking $22,500 for it on June 30. Ben Gross has it on his site for $16,500)
– 2022 Malibu 21 lx boat (last time I saw it on FB MP, he was asking $118K)
– 2021 Chevrolet 3LT Z51 Corvette (Caden had it for $102K on June 30, 2022)
– 2020 Malibu 21MLX boat (Caden had it for $102K on June 30, 2022)
– 2017 Ford F350 truck (Caden had it for $51K on June 30, 2022)
– 2010 white Chevy truck 150K miles (Caden had it for $5K on June 30, 2022)
– 2012 white Chevy truck 221K miles (Caden had it for $13K on June 30, 2022)
– 2015 GMC Sierra Denali Pickup (SOLD for $32K sometime before June 7, 2022)