A homeowner in Greensboro, North Carolina, finally has her driveway and carport finished, more than a year after the work should have been done, according to WFMY News 2. Lisa Stamer hired a contractor for what was supposed to be a $25,000 to $30,000 job. The work began on schedule, then stalled for months without any reasonable explanation.
Stamer moved to North Carolina from Portland about six years ago and bought a ranch-style home in a tree-lined neighborhood. Over the years, roots from those trees pushed up under the driveway and cracked it so badly that the whole thing had to be replaced. Since she was having the driveway redone, Stamer also decided to add a carport with storage space and electricity.
She chose a contractor, and work proceeded as expected at first. He tore out the old driveway and framed the carport, but then he abruptly stopped working. Stamer said she had already paid him $6,000 in cash up front plus more later on, but every time she called to check if he was going to return, she just got more excuses.
A state inspector eventually looked at the site and found even more problems with the work. After more than a year of this, Stamer reached out to WFMY News 2 for help. Once the station contacted the contractor, crews came back and finished the job.
How the Project Stalled
By Stamer’s account, the early stretch of work looked like any normal job. After the demolition and framing, though, the contractor’s pace dropped off until the work stopped completely. Months went by with no real progress and no response as to when the project would pick back up.
The inspector found that portions of the work did not comply with the North Carolina Building Code. So, a potential delay for Stamer became enforceable. Those deficiencies needed to be addressed to pass the final inspection and complete the job. Regardless of how long Stamer had been waiting, he would still have been unable to formally close out the project until all issues were resolved.
What Other Homeowners Can Learn
WFMY’s “2 Wants to Know” team has been telling viewers how to avoid this kind of issue for years. Before signing anything or paying anyone, homeowners should check that the contractor is licensed and insured. It’s also recommended that you get a written contract that spells out costs, materials, timelines, and a payment schedule.
The team cited the risks of paying in cash and recommended that you avoid paying large sums before the project is completed. They also suggested retaining copies of all project-related contracts and invoices. They also drove home the importance of obtaining the proper permits in advance of any home improvements to avoid such situations.