Gillece Lawsuit Settlement 2026, Who Qualifies for $700,000 in Pennsylvania Refunds?

Gillece Services, a Pittsburgh-area plumbing, heating and cooling contractor, has agreed to pay $700,000 in consumer restitution to resolve a Pennsylvania Attorney General lawsuit alleging the company pressured homeowners into expensive, unnecessary repairs and violated Pennsylvania’s home improvement cancellation law.

The consent order was filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, and Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the settlement on October 22, 2026.

This is a state enforcement action, not a private class action. There is no public claim form, no settlement website and no customer claim deadline. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office decides who receives restitution and will contact eligible consumers directly. Individual refund amounts and a payment schedule have not been announced.

If you paid Gillece for sewer excavation, furnace repairs or other work you believe was unnecessary, you may be among the consumers considered. Keep your records and contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection (see below). Be wary of anyone asking for a fee or sensitive personal information to “claim” a Gillece check.

Quick Facts: Pennsylvania v. Gillece Services Settlement

Detail	Verified Information
Companies	Gillece Services, LP; Gillece Plumbing & Heating, Inc.; owner Thomas J. Gillece and two former supervisors
Government plaintiff	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (Attorney General Dave Sunday)
Case	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Gillece Services, LP, et al., No. GD-20-009374
Court	Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Settlement announced	October 22, 2026
Consumer restitution	$700,000
State investigative costs	$50,000
Suspended civil penalties	$250,000
Required company payment	$750,000 (restitution plus costs), due November 30, 2026
Default judgment trigger	Up to $1,000,000, reduced by payments made, if defendants default
Original lawsuit filed	2020
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling	April 30, 2026 (three-day cancellation by actual notice)
Official claim form	None. The Attorney General will contact eligible consumers
Official settlement website	None. Information is on the Attorney General’s website (attorneygeneral.gov)
Consumer complaint form	attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-en/
PA Consumer Protection Hotline	1-800-441-2555
Home Improvement Consumer Helpline	1-888-520-6680
Individual refund amount	Not announced
Consumer claim deadline	None announced
Settlement type	State consumer-protection enforcement action; no admission of liability

Why Was Gillece Sued?

The Attorney General sued Gillece in 2020, alleging misleading advertising and high-pressure sales tactics that pushed homeowners toward costly repairs.

Sewer Repairs and the “$93 or Free” Promotion

Prosecutors alleged that Gillece advertised a “$93 or Free Clog Crusher Special” promising to clear a clogged sewer line for $93 or free if unsuccessful. After technicians arrived, some customers were allegedly told that ordinary drain-cleaning equipment could not solve the problem and that expensive sewer excavation or replacement was needed. The Attorney General alleged that independent inspections later showed some recommended excavations were unnecessary. Local reporting described excavation quotes costing thousands of dollars, with some reaching $30,000 or more.

Other Challenged Practices

• Allegedly false or misleading advertising and flat-rate pricing descriptions
• Recommendations for unnecessary sewer line replacements
• Gas leak diagnoses later contradicted by utility companies
• Allegations about cracked furnace heat exchangers
• Work allegedly inconsistent with written warranties
• Failure to provide contract copies and required cancellation notices
• Refusal to honor timely home improvement cancellation requests, including crews allegedly arriving to dig after a homeowner had called to cancel

What Has and Has Not Been Proven

• In August 2023, the Allegheny County court granted partial summary judgment for the Commonwealth on certain statutory issues.
• The Commonwealth Court affirmed the ruling on cancellation issues in July 2024.
• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on April 30, 2026.
• Gillece entered the final consent order without admitting liability. Allegations resolved only through the settlement should not be treated as proven misconduct.

These allegations do not mean every Gillece repair was unnecessary or every customer was overcharged.

Who Qualifies for Restitution?

The consent order gives the Commonwealth discretion to decide which consumers receive money, how much, and when. It does not set a universal payment amount or publish a list of qualifying transactions.

Customer Experiences That May Be Relevant

Customer Experience	Why It May Matter
Unnecessary sewer replacement or excavation	Central allegation
Sewer excavation after the $93 promotion	Subject of the investigation
Disputed gas leak diagnosis	Alleged sales practice
Disputed cracked heat exchanger diagnosis	Identified in the lawsuit
Work that failed to meet written warranties	Alleged workmanship and contract problems
Refusal to honor a timely cancellation	Issue decided by the courts

These are examples of conduct involved in the case, not an official eligibility checklist.

Do All Former Gillece Customers Qualify?

No. Hiring Gillece for plumbing, heating or cooling does not automatically entitle you to money. A customer who received satisfactory work at the agreed price should not assume eligibility. The $700,000 is not a general rebate.

How to Get a Refund: What to Do Now

The Attorney General says eligible consumers do not need to submit a claim or hire a lawyer to be considered. The state will contact those it identifies.

1. Gather your records: invoices, contracts, payment receipts and proof of payment.
2. Save advertisements or promotional offers you relied on.
3. Keep evidence: photographs, inspection reports, camera footage and second-opinion estimates.
4. Preserve correspondence with Gillece and the Attorney General.
5. Watch for official mail from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General or its authorized administrator.
6. Contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 if you have questions, previously filed a complaint, or want your contact information confirmed.

If You Never Filed a Complaint

You can still report your experience to the Attorney General through its consumer complaint form. But the announcement does not create a new application period, and filing a complaint now does not guarantee inclusion in the existing distribution. Do not assume it creates an entitlement.

Scam Warning

Because there is no public claim form, be skeptical of unsolicited texts, emails, calls or websites that say you must pay a fee, share your Social Security number or enter bank details to “unlock” a Gillece settlement. Legitimate restitution notices come from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General or an administrator it authorizes. If in doubt, call the hotline listed above before responding.

How Much Will Each Customer Receive?

Not announced. The order allocates $700,000 to consumer restitution but does not say eligible customers will receive equal checks. The state controls amounts, timing and method. A homeowner who paid thousands for a disputed sewer replacement may be treated differently from one who paid much less for a different service, and the order does not specify how.

When Will Checks Arrive?

No official date has been announced. The consent order allows the Commonwealth to use an outside administrator. It also provides that uncashed checks may be voided after a reasonable period of at least 90 days following distribution. If you receive a legitimate check, read the instructions and deposit it promptly.

The Money: What Gillece Must Pay

Payment or Penalty	Amount
Consumer restitution	$700,000
State investigative costs	$50,000
Required company payment	$750,000 total, due November 30, 2026
Suspended civil penalty	$250,000
Default judgment (if defendants default)	Up to $1,000,000, reduced by payments made

The $250,000 penalty stays suspended unless a court finds a violation of the order. November 30 is Gillece’s payment deadline, not a deadline for homeowners. The potential $1 million judgment is not a consumer fund. The only identified consumer restitution is $700,000.

What Gillece Must Change

Sewer Repairs

• Technicians selling sewer excavation or hydro-jetting must obtain certification through the National Association of Sewer Service Companies’ Lateral Assessment Certification Program.
• Defects must be documented using recognized inspection standards, with technical requirements for sewer camera recordings.
• When a sewer line cannot be cleared, Gillece must make multiple attempts with appropriate equipment and tell the customer, verbally and in writing, that they may obtain a second opinion before agreeing to further work.
• Expensive repair recommendations are restricted where required defect findings are absent.

Gas Leaks

A gas leak diagnosis generally must be confirmed by the customer’s natural gas provider before Gillece sells repair work, subject to the order’s terms. If you smell gas or suspect an active leak, leave the area and contact your gas utility or emergency services immediately. Do not wait for a second opinion in an emergency.

Furnace and HVAC

• HVAC technicians must hold North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification.
• The company must use properly calibrated carbon monoxide detectors.
• Cracked heat exchangers and similar dangerous conditions require confirmation by two qualifying technicians.
• The company must keep records of sewer excavation recommendations and furnace shutdown (“red tag”) decisions.

Two Former Supervisors Restricted

James F. Hackwelder and Joseph A. Nikoula are barred for five years from operating or managing plumbing businesses or selling plumbing-related services in Pennsylvania. The restriction is specific to the order and to Pennsylvania. It is not a nationwide lifetime ban.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling: Can You Cancel a Home Improvement Contract by Phone?

Yes, for qualifying contracts covered by Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA).

On April 30, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held in this litigation that consumers can cancel qualifying home improvement contracts within three business days by giving the contractor actual notice, even if the notice is not in writing. That can include:

• A phone call
• In-person notice
• A written notice
• Any other method that actually informs the contractor

The court resolved a conflict between two statutes. HICPA, 73 P.S. § 517.7(b), requires covered contractors to allow cancellation without penalty within three business days of signing. The broader Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, 73 P.S. § 201-7(a), refers to written cancellation in certain transactions. The court held that the more specific home improvement statute controls qualifying home improvement contracts.

Should You Still Cancel in Writing?

Yes, when you can. Even where writing is not required, a text, email or letter creates evidence. Record the date, time and who received your cancellation. The ruling does not mean every type of contract in Pennsylvania carries an identical three-day right.

If a Contractor Works After You Cancel

Facts matter: when notice was given, and whether the agreement falls under HICPA. Preserve call records, messages, contracts and proof of any work or charges after cancellation, and report it to the Attorney General.

Laws Behind the Case

Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL), 73 P.S. § 201-1 et seq.

• § 201-3: Declares unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce unlawful.
• § 201-4: Lets the Attorney General seek injunctions against unlawful practices.
• § 201-4.1: Authorizes the court to order restitution to consumers.
• § 201-8: Authorizes civil penalties for violations, with enhanced penalties where the victim is 60 or older.
• § 201-7: Provides cancellation rights in certain sales made at the buyer’s home.
• § 201-9.2: Gives private plaintiffs who suffer an ascertainable loss the right to sue for actual damages or statutory damages, with discretionary treble damages and attorneys’ fees.

Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), 73 P.S. § 517.1 et seq.

Requires most home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General, requires written contracts for work above a statutory threshold with specified terms and notices, and gives homeowners a three-business-day right to cancel under § 517.7(b). Violations of HICPA are also treated as violations of the UTPCPL.

Federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 429

For certain sales made at a consumer’s home or other off-premises location, sellers must give notice of a three-day right to cancel. It operates alongside state law.

Why This Is Not a Class Action

Because the Attorney General sued in the public interest under state law, Rule 23-style class certification does not apply. There is no opt-out or objector process, no class counsel taking a percentage, and no private claim form. Consumers do not pay legal fees to receive restitution distributed by the state.

Can Homeowners Sue Gillece Separately?

The settlement resolves the Attorney General’s enforcement lawsuit. It does not necessarily prevent a homeowner from bringing a separate claim. Whether you can sue depends on your facts, contract terms (such as any arbitration clause), applicable statutes and filing deadlines. UTPCPL private claims are generally subject to a six-year limitations period, but timing can depend on circumstances, so consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney promptly. A government enforcement action does not automatically entitle any homeowner to compensation. You would still need to establish the elements of your own claim, including ascertainable loss and causation. Accepting state restitution does not itself bar you from consulting private counsel, but ask a lawyer how any payment or release terms could affect you.

Tax Treatment

Restitution that refunds money you paid for unnecessary personal home repairs is generally treated as a return of your own money rather than income, unless you previously deducted the expense, for example on a rental property or business return. This is general information, not tax advice. Consult a tax professional.

Is This the Same as the Mavis Discount Tire Settlement?

No. Pennsylvania reached a separate settlement with Mavis Discount Tire over alleged unnecessary vehicle repairs. That case has its own fund and its own consumer complaint deadline. Do not apply the Mavis deadline to Gillece. No comparable consumer claim deadline has been announced for Gillece.

Key Timeline

Date	Event
2020	Attorney General files civil enforcement lawsuit in Allegheny County
August 2023	Court grants partial summary judgment for the Commonwealth on certain statutory violations and enters injunctions
July 2024	Commonwealth Court affirms the ruling on cancellation issues
April 30, 2026	Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules that actual notice, including by phone, can cancel a qualifying home improvement contract within three business days
October 2026	Consent order filed
October 22, 2026	Attorney General announces the settlement
November 30, 2026	Gillece’s required $750,000 payment due to the Commonwealth
To be announced	Restitution administrator, eligibility criteria, individual amounts and distribution schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gillece lawsuit settled?

Yes. Pennsylvania announced a consent order resolving its enforcement lawsuit on October 22, 2026.

How much is the settlement?

$700,000 in consumer restitution, $50,000 in state costs and $250,000 in suspended civil penalties.

Who gets a Gillece refund?

The Attorney General will identify eligible consumers. A complete public eligibility list has not been released.

Do I need to file a claim?

No initial claim is required. The Attorney General says eligible consumers will be contacted.

Is there a Gillece settlement website or claim form?

No. Information comes from the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

When will checks arrive?

No consumer payment date has been announced.

Is November 30, 2026 a customer deadline?

No. It is Gillece’s deadline to pay the Commonwealth $750,000.

Does the case cover unnecessary sewer replacements?

Yes, allegedly unnecessary sewer excavation and replacement is central to the allegations.

Does it involve furnace repairs?

Yes. The lawsuit also alleged misleading gas leak and cracked heat exchanger diagnoses.

Does it cover all Gillece customers?

No. Eligibility is decided through the state’s restitution process.

Did Gillece admit wrongdoing?

No. It settled without admitting liability, though the Attorney General had earlier won court rulings on specified consumer protection issues.

Can I cancel a Pennsylvania home improvement contract by phone?

For qualifying contracts governed by HICPA, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled actual notice within three business days can be sufficient.

Can I sue separately?

Possibly, depending on your facts, contract terms and deadlines. Consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.

What if someone asks me to pay to claim a check?

Treat it as a scam and contact the Attorney General’s hotline.

Bottom Line

Gillece’s October 2026 settlement resolves a state enforcement lawsuit over allegedly unnecessary sewer excavations, misleading repair promotions, disputed HVAC diagnoses and violations of home improvement cancellation rights. It provides $700,000 for consumer restitution, but individual payouts and payment dates have not been announced.

Eligible customers will be contacted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General. No public claim form is required. If you believe you were affected and haven’t heard from the state, preserve your repair records and call the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555.

The case also confirmed an important right: qualifying Pennsylvania home improvement contracts can be canceled within three business days through actual notice, including by phone.

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading it. Individual rights and restitution eligibility depend on applicable law and the settlement’s terms.

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Sources

1. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Settlement Announcement (Oct. 22, 2026): https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-sunday-obtains-settlement-requiring-home-improvement-group-to-pay-consumer-restitution-and-undergo-robust-technician-certification-programs/
2. Consent Order, Commonwealth v. Gillece Services, LP, et al., No. GD-20-009374 (Allegheny C.C.P., filed Oct. 2026): https://cdn.attorneygeneral.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.10.21-Gillece-Consent-Order-FILED.pdf
3. Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Majority Opinion (Apr. 30, 2026): https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/SUPREME/out/J-77-2025mo%20-%20106766803356653352.pdf
4. Pennsylvania Attorney General, Home Improvement Cancellation Rights: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/pa-supreme-court-upholds-consumer-right-to-cancel-home-improvement-contracts-within-three-days-regardless-of-medium/
5. Pennsylvania Attorney General, Consumer Complaint Form: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-en/
6. Pennsylvania Attorney General, Consumer Fraud Assistance: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/our-work/consumer-fraud/
7. 73 P.S. §§ 201-1 et seq. (UTPCPL), 73 P.S. §§ 517.1 et seq. (HICPA), 16 C.F.R. Part 429

Source limitation: Case details come from the Attorney General’s announcement, the consent order and the Supreme Court opinion. The Supreme Court docket number should be confirmed against the opinion before publishing, and the 2023 and 2024 ruling dates should be checked against the court dockets.