Michael Mohktarian calls it domestic terrorism.

He says he has been duped twice by unlicensed contracting and adds that he believes he has been taken hostage by a bunch of crooks in his own Federal Hill house.

Mohktarian, 52, who is temporarily living with a friend in Overlea, estimates the four-year remodeling plan should have cost $105,000 but will be near $234,000 when completed.

“[The first contractor] Alex Usherenko left my property with so much damage that no other contractors wanted the job,” said Mohktarian, whose binder of photos reveals flooded basements, uneven flooring and gaping holes in dry wall, exposing plumbing, at various stages under both contractors.

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Mohktarian was one of two Baltimore City homeowners who hired Usherenko and his Gem Atlas Inc. contracting company to rehabilitate their houses.

Mohktarian and property owner Paul Genovese filed complaints against Usherenko with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, claiming Usherenko failed to do the work.

Usherenko pleaded guilty Nov. 27, 2006, to failing to fulfill the terms of a May 31, 2005, contract with Genovese and being an unlicensed contractor. He also was convicted of doing work without a valid license at Mohktarian’s property.

Usherenko was ordered to pay the two property owners a total of $100,000 in restitution and has paid $50,411 thus far, according to the Division of Parole and Probation.

JEB Construction owner John Mitchell was the second accused contractor and the person Mohktarian is attempting to bring to the attention of the Home Improvement Commission.

Mitchell, like Usherenko, is accused of telling clients he is a licensed contractor.

“After Alex, I was more diligent. I kept records of Mitchell’s work and paid him accordingly,” Mohktarian said.

“[Mitchell] got 95 percent of the payment and left me in the cold.”

Mohktarian said he just wants Mitchell to finish the job.

Of the 3,000 cases reviewed by the Home Improvement Commission in 2007, 40 percent were against unlicensed contractors.

The commission’s Steven Smitson said Mohktarian’s trouble “is a pretty rare instance.”

“Usually homeowners don’t make the same mistake twice,” he added.

Smitson said Mohktarian’s case will be investigated thoroughly.

“We have no prosecution power, only the ability to bring the matter to the attention of the court,” he said. “Our interest is to protect the consumers and licensed contractors by educating them on their rights, and home improvement law in general.”

anthony.fair@baltimoreexaminer.com