Business Profilefor180 Kitchen and Bath Design Group

On July 18, 2013 BBB contacted 180 Kitchen and Bath Design Group in regard to its advertisement of being a licensed general contractor. The State of Oklahoma does not currently offer licensing for general contractors. BBB sought clarification from the company concerning the matter. On July 24, 2013 BBB received a faxed copy of a Certified General Contractor's License issued by the State of Florida for Mr. Jeff Pense, owner of 180 Kitchen and Bath Design Group. BBB verified that the license is indeed valid, but is recognized only in the State of Florida. BBB subsequently contacted the business explaining the results of the inquiry and suggested a modification of the advertisement to specify it is a license issued and valid only in the State of Florida, or remove the advertisement stating it is a "licensed" general contractor. BBB offered (2) solutions to resolve the conflict with the BBB Code of Advertisement: (1) modification of the advertisement to include that the general contractor's license is valid only for the State of Florida; or (2) remove the advertisement in question and make no reference to the license unless the business specifies it is through the State of Florida. BBB requested for the business to notify BBB of its decision or inform BBB the advertisement will not be changed. The business chose to inform BBB that the advertisement would not be changed. Therefore, consumers should be aware, in consideration of the advertisement, that there is not a general contractor's license available in the state of Oklahoma.

BBB brought this advertisement to the attention of the business to verify that the business was in compliance with the BBB Code of Advertising Basic Principles. The guideline in question states in part: "An advertisement as a whole may be misleading although every sentence separately considered is literally true. Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statement but by omitting or obscuring a material fact."