AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) — A Georgia woman says a home improvement project has turned into a costly nightmare.
Homeowner Stacy Adams said she has lived in her home for 26 years and has been working to make it feel brand new.
“I have done everything in my home. And I wanted to add a tub to my half bath. And that’s when I thought about contacting somebody,” Adams said.
According to Adams, she hired a contractor to pour a new driveway and start a home addition to expand her bathroom and bedroom, paying $18,000.
However, the driveway began cracking soon after it was finished, the addition was never completed and after months of promises, the contractor just stopped showing up.
Adams says this ordeal has been ongoing for nearly a year as she is still trying to recover her money while considering legal action.
“People are saying, ‘You’re stupid to have given him that kind of money.’ But I didn’t give it to him all at once. It was like in increments,” she said. “I feel like a fool, and I wish I had gone the other way. I wish I had met somebody. I wish I had called somebody else,” Adams said.
Adams said she contacted code enforcement about her situation, but it did not see a license or permit filed for the property.
Attorney Del Percilla said multiple people have come to him for legal advice after home improvement projects go wrong. He said in many cases, independent contractors get in over their heads and the job becomes bigger than they expected.
Percilla said homeowners should always verify a contractor’s license and avoid paying large sums until work is completed. He added that doing your research up front is critical because afterward, legally, you may not get your money back.
Adams said she hopes by sharing her story, others will take extra steps to protect themselves before hiring someone to work on their home. She said she will continue warning people about this contractor and hopes a resolution will come as she looks for a way to finish the work on her home.
The contractor declined to comment on the situation.
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