Georgia Homeowners Demand Greater Accountability in Contractor Regulations

Georgia Homeowners Demand Greater Accountability and Regulation Amid Increasing Home Repair Complaints

Residents in Georgia are increasingly voicing their concerns over home repair contractors, demanding more accountability and better regulations as complaints rise. Consumer advocates highlight that dissatisfaction with home repair services is among the most frequent grievances reported annually, indicating a pressing need for oversight in the industry.

Many homeowners in the state report issues with negligent contractors who fail to complete work effectively or on time. One such case involves homeowner Eve Overland, who paid $28,000 to contractor Richard Buonocore for a deck rebuild. Overland criticized Buonocore’s work as poorly executed and significantly overdue, claiming that another company managed to accomplish more in merely four days than Buonocore completed in four months. Buonocore has countered that he was not given the chance to finish the project and has defended the quality of his workmanship.

Another client, Craig Hill, reported significant financial losses after Buonocore declared bankruptcy, which forced Hill to undertake the project himself. Additionally, Emily Truax faced discrepancies with pricing and material orders from Buonocore, resulting in her hiring an attorney to resolve the situation.

Past clients of Buonocore express considerable frustration due to the lack of police and regulatory recourse when contractors fail to deliver satisfactory results. In response, Georgia homeowners are advocating for a more robust vetting process for contractors to minimize the potential for disputes.

Deputy Secretary of State Matthew Tyser noted that simply being registered as a business does not ensure a contractor’s reliability. The State Licensing Board does oversee certain contractors; however, many in the home improvement industry, particularly in areas such as fencing and roofing, do not require licenses, creating a gap in accountability. Complaints against Buonocore have been submitted to the Licensing Board, but the specifics remain confidential. Overland is currently monitoring the activities of the Licensing Board concerning Buonocore, who was unlicensed for the deck work provided to her.

In line with this growing concern, the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives close to 3,000 home repair-related complaints each year. However, there are currently no recorded complaints against Buonocore, raising alarm among homeowners regarding the state’s ability to protect them from fraudulent contractors.

Homeowners are encouraged to take proactive measures by checking business licenses and asking detailed questions prior to hiring contractors. This advocacy for greater consumer awareness aims to mitigate issues similar to those experienced by Overland and others.

In a slight defense, Buonocore has acknowledged that personal challenges have influenced his performance but claims to have been sober for over three years. Overland has since terminated her contract with Buonocore and is pursuing a refund for the work she deemed unsatisfactory.

For those experiencing similar issues, the Georgia Attorney General and the Secretary of State’s Licensing Division are available resources for filing complaints against contractors. With distinct calls for reform, Georgia homeowners are hopeful for a more secure and reliable environment when engaging home improvement professionals in the future.