Information and Alerts

Government Actions

Gov. Action
On October 12, 2022, Maryland Attorney Brian E. Frosh announced that
his Consumer Protection Division has entered a Final Order against Patrick Michael Savage, who
did business as Extreme Backyard's, resolving charges that Savage violated the Consumer
Protection Act when he took deposits from consumers for home improvement services, failed to
provide the services, and refused to refund consumers' money.

The matter was prosecuted at the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings, which issued a
decision on July 25, 2022, finding that Savage lacked the required home improvement license
and cheated consumers when he promised to install pools in their homes, took their deposits
(which often exceeded one-third of the purchase price in violation of Maryland's home
improvement laws), and then never returned to perform the promised installations.

The Consumer Protection Division's Final Order incorporates the Administrative Law Judge's
findings and requires that Savage return all payments he received from consumers for pool
installation goods and services that he failed to provide. The consumers who did business with
Savage contracted for pool installations during the COVID-19 pandemic, either to entertain their
children or for therapeutic purposes. The order identified at least 15 victims who are owed at
least $83,588.69. Savage is also ordered to pay the Division a penalty of $75,000, as well the
Division's investigation costs of $37,640.21. The Final Order prohibits Savage from taking any
deposits or other forms of payment from consumers before providing any consumer goods or
services unless he posts a $100,000 performance bond with the Division that can be used to
protect consumers. The Final Order also requires Savage to cease offering home improvement
goods or services to consumers unless he complies with Maryland's home improvement laws,
including obtaining a license, collecting no more than one-third of a contract amount for a
deposit, and protecting consumers' deposits.

The Attorney General thanks the Maryland Home Improvement Commission for its assistance in
this matter. Consumers can verify a contractor's license through the Home Improvement
Commission's website, www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic. Reviewing the license status of a
contractor helps assure consumers that they are working with a reputable contractor. If they have
any difficulty with their licensed contractor, they may be able to seek damages through the home
improvement guaranty fund.

Consumers who were harmed by Patrick Michael Savage d/b/a Extreme Backyard's may call the
Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662, file a complaint online at
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov, or write to the Consumer Protection Division at 200 St. Paul
Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

For more details, go to:
https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2022/101222.pdf