A second homeowner has filed a lawsuit against Jacksonville contractor Steven Rounds and his remodeling business, alleging she paid $20,650 for a kitchen renovation that never began.

Claire McElwee filed the civil complaint Oct. 30 in St. Johns County, three days after Rounds, 40, was arrested on felony charges involving a different homeowner's renovation project, according to the St. Johns Citizen.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is asking other customers who hired or paid Rounds or Incredible Kitchen and Bath to contact Detective Robert Maloney at [email protected].

Homeowner alleges $20,650 in payments

McElwee entered into a kitchen remodeling contract with IKB LLC, doing business as Incredible Kitchen and Bath, in April, according to allegations described in the lawsuit coverage.

She alleges that she paid a $14,750 deposit and an additional $5,900 for countertops, but construction never began.

After McElwee sought to cancel the agreement, Rounds reportedly attributed the delays to an illness and promised to complete the work before Thanksgiving.

The complaint describes an Aug. 16 message in which Rounds allegedly said attorneys were unnecessary and that he was willing to absorb deposit costs while discussing possible solutions. McElwee alleges that communication eventually stopped.

The lawsuit names IKB LLC, Rounds and another individual identified in the complaint as a co-owner. It seeks $61,950 in damages, three times the amount McElwee says she paid, plus attorney's fees.

The complaint alleges civil theft, breach of contract, fraud, deceptive practices and unlicensed contracting.

These are allegations in a civil lawsuit, not findings of wrongdoing. The claims remain subject to the court's review.

Separate criminal case involves $36,875 renovation payment

Rounds was arrested Oct. 27 on felony charges of grand theft and misapplication of construction funds in connection with another homeowner's complaint.

According to the arrest warrant described in the St. Johns Citizen's reporting, the homeowner signed a contract with Incredible Kitchen and Bath on April 23 and paid $36,875 toward a project valued at approximately $38,700.

That payment represented about 95% of the contract price.

Investigators allege that demolition did not begin until July 28 and that company workers last appeared at the property Aug. 20.

The warrant also alleges that the business failed to pay a plumbing subcontractor despite receiving money from the homeowner for that work.

Rounds faced two felony counts, with bond reportedly set at $5,000 per count. The criminal proceeding is identified as State of Florida v. Steven Kyle Rounds, case No. 26001656CFMA.

The criminal allegations have not been proven in court. An arrest does not establish guilt.

Sheriff's Office seeks information from other customers

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is seeking information from anyone who hired or paid Rounds or Incredible Kitchen and Bath for contracting services.

Customers with relevant information can contact Detective Robert Maloney at [email protected].

The civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution are separate proceedings. The allegations in McElwee's complaint do not constitute additional criminal charges against Rounds.