Don't Be A Victim: Home repair contractors A report out says the law makes it easy for building contractors to take advantage of home owners. North Carolina's public interest research group (NCPIRG) is pushing for stricter requirements for contractors across the state.
WCNC NEWS 6 Don't Be A Victim: Home repair contractors By DAN STARKS / 6NEWS E-mail Dan:
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Even though she got a referrel, Rosa Burris said the person she hired to fix her home didn't do a good job. A report out says the law makes it easy for building contractors to take advantage of home owners. North Carolina's public interest research group is pushing for stricter requirements for contractors across the state. One reason why? - Johnny and Rosa Burris. 6NEWS Personal Safety Specialist Dan Starks has their story and a warning. Rosa Burris has lived in her home for 20 years. In 2002 she and her husband noticed a crack on the outside of the house. "I said I think we better have someone come out here and get this covered," Rosa Burris said. After a neighbor referred Ron Pierce Construction they paid him $8,000 to fix the crack. "I think they worked on it about a week. They dug all around the house and said that would eliminate it from cracking anymore,â Rosa Burris said. But in less than a year the Burrisâ noticed more cracks. Pierce responded to their first call. "He came out and said oh, itâs just the house settling. Well, in a couple of months it started cracking more," Rosa Burris said. But the Burrisâ say they haven't been able to reach him since. âNow he won't respond to the phone calls. I've even sent him an email on his website. He didn't respond, we haven't heard from him," Rosa Burris said. 6NEWS tracked down Pierce. Investigators found him working with a newly formed construction company in Charlotte. He wouldn't agree talk to on camera, but told 6NEWS by phone he believes he did the work he was paid to do and denies having caused the cracks. He couldn't recall giving the Burris' a five year warranty on his work, but they gave 6NEWS a copy of their guarantee. Rosa and her husband aren't the only ones complaining about Pierce. âIt is completely incompetent from every homeowner I've spoken with who has had experiences with him. His work has resulted in further damages to the home," said Rob Thompson with the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group. The PIRG report names two other cases where customers claim they are out thousands because of his work. Since 2002, the Better Business Bureau has gotten five complaints against Pierce Construction. North Carolina's board for general contractors also suspended his license in 2004. But that doesn't stop him from doing more work. That's because North Carolina only requires contractors to have a license if the project is more than $30,000. So legally, Pierce can still be hired. âItâs absolutely ridiculous that he can have his license revoked for gross incompetence and gross negligence and still legally take on costly construction jobs," Thompson said. And that's a warning for everyone. Even if homeowners get a referral, they need to do their own research. The law can't always guarantee people will get the results they expect. Here are some other tips for homeowners: Check with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's office about any complaints. â¢Get everything in writing â¢Be persistent â¢Hire your own inspector and engineer to examine any problems
Have you had problems with a contractor? Email the PRIG at
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