AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) — A home improvement project turned into a costly lesson for a South Georgia woman after a contractor failed to complete work she paid for.

Stacy Adams said she has lived in her home for 26 years and has been working to make it feel brand new.

“I did everything over in my home. And I wanted to add a tub into my half bath. And that’s when I thought about contacting somebody,” Adams said.

Adams said she hired a contractor to pour a new driveway and start a home addition to expand her bathroom and bedroom, paying $18,000 total. She said the driveway began cracking soon after it was finished, the addition was never completed and after months of promises, the contractor stopped showing up.

Nearly a year later, she said she is still trying to recover her money and is considering legal action.

“People saying ‘You stupid to have given him that kind of money.’ But like I said, I didn’t give it to him all at once. It was like in increments. And now I feel like a fool, and I wish I had went the other way. I wish I had met somebody. I wish I had called somebody else,” Adams said.

License and permit questions

Adams said when she contacted code enforcement, she was told the license she was given may not be valid. Code enforcement confirmed they do not see a license or permit for the property.

Situations like this highlight the importance of protecting yourself before any work begins. One key piece of advice is to never pay upfront.

Legal options may be limited

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. He said homeowners should always verify a contractor’s license and avoid paying large sums until work is completed. He added doing your research upfront is critical because afterward, legally, you may not get your money back.

“What I’ve told them is, there is no point in hiring a lawyer to sue someone who can’t afford to finish your job. You may very well get a judgment, which is worth nothing. Because if they had the money to pay the judgment, they could finish your job,” Percilla said.

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.

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