The Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit has filed an administrative complaint against Mastercraft Contracting, LLC and its principals, Majid Sefiane, who is also known as Michael Strong, and David Caprario. The department alleges that the company engaged in a pattern of predatory conduct that misled Delaware homeowners and violated multiple state consumer protection laws.
“Delaware families deserve honesty when they’re seeking home repairs, not deceptive tactics that turn a moment of need into an opportunity for exploitation,” Attorney General Kathy Jennings said. “Contractors shouldn’t turn that vulnerability into a sales trap, weaponize fine print, or bully Delawareans with frivolous lawsuits. Our office will continue to take action against companies that prey on homeowners.”
According to the complaint, Mastercraft used misleading door-to-door sales tactics to persuade homeowners that they were required to sign a form in order to receive a “free” inspection. In reality, these forms were binding contracts containing punitive cancellation penalties, often locking customers into services they did not want. The company then used threats of liens and lawsuits to enforce those terms despite performing little or no work.
Court records indicate that the contract includes multiple legalistic terms and conditions on the back, including a cancellation clause which states Mastercraft is entitled to liquidated damages fo one-third of the contract price should the consumer decide not to use their services.
Mastercraft then filed numerous lawsuits against consumers who did not use them, citing the cancellation clause and seeking 1/3 of the contract price as liquidated damages. JP Court ruled that the liquidated damages clause was illegal. In one case, Mastercraft v. Placias, JP17-24-00314 which was decided June 3, 2024, JP Court found it “preposterous” that the company claimed that the one-third damages constituted legitimate liquidated damages instead of a penalty and was “disheartened at the seemingly predatory behavior exhibited by Mastercraft.” According to the court documents, in another case, Mastercraft v. Austin JP17-24-00668, the court ruled that the defendant in that case was right to call the contract into question and cancel her claim with her insurance company.
Despite the court rulings, Mastercraft continued to file lawsuits against Delaware consumers with the most recent filed on March 27, 2025, in Superior Court.
The Consumer Protection Unit alleges violations of the Consumer Fraud Act, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act as well as Delaware’s Home Improvement Regulations, and seeks civil penalties, restitution and orders preventing Mastercraft and its principals from continuing these practices.
The Attorney General’s Office believes there are more consumers in Delaware who fell victim to Mastercraft’s deceptive practices. Homeowners who believe they were misled by Mastercraft or any home improvement company, or who were asked to sign for a “free inspection, that turned out to be a binding contract, should file a complaint with the Department of Justice online.
Mastercraft is entitled to a hearing and their liability for the allegations in the administrative complaint will be determined by an Administrative Hearing Officer under Delawar
