When Belinda Clark decided to turn her back porch into a peaceful, screened-in patio, she never expected the project would turn into a battle for her hard-earned money.

 

But like far too many homeowners, Belinda learned the hard way: not every contractor who sounds professional actually operates that way.

The Red Flag That Changed Everything

Belinda hired a local contractor, feeling hopeful about finally creating her dream outdoor space. She paid a deposit, expecting design plans and permitting to follow. But before work could even begin, the contractor hit her with an unusual demand — asking her to waive the city’s bond requirement.

 

Belinda knew bonds were a requirement for a very important reason – protection in case something goes wrong. And when she refused to sign the waiver? The contractor stopped communicating.

 

No schedule. No updates. No refund.

 

That’s when Belinda turned to TrustDALE for help.

A Pattern of Poor Business Practices

The TrustDALE team quickly uncovered the truth: Belinda was far from the first customer this contractor left in the lurch. 

 

In fact, TrustDALE actually confronted the same contractor just a year prior, after another Atlanta homeowner paid for retractable patio screens that were improperly installed. Despite repeated requests for a refund, the contractor failed to deliver.

 

Sound familiar?

 

Unfortunately, this is a common problem in metro Atlanta’s booming home improvement market — especially for seniors or homeowners unfamiliar with contractor red flags.

Contractor scams are rampant in the home improvement market, disproportionally impacting  seniors and homeowners unfamiliar with contractor red flags. (iStock)

How Belinda Got Justice (And Her Money Back)

With TrustDALE on her side, Belinda was able to recover every penny she paid the contractor — proving once again that knowledge and advocacy matter.

 

More importantly, Belinda still got her dream patio. This time, she hired Ben Hill Renovations — a TrustDALE Certified Partner with a near-perfect 4.99 out of 5-star rating (calculated based on consumer concerns received by TrustDALE).

 

For Belinda, knowing that Ben Hill Renovations had been thoroughly vetted by TrustDALE gave her much needed, and earned, peace of mind.

How You Can Protect Yourself From Contractor Scams

If you’re hiring a contractor in Atlanta — or anywhere — here are smart steps to protect your investment:

  1. Never waive city bond requirements. Even if the contractor has a “good reason”. These bonds exist to protect you, and contractors know that.
  2. Get everything in writing. Deposits, timelines, materials, and refund policies should all be clear.
  3. Research the company. Look for consistent reviews on the BBB website and Google.
  4. Use trusted resources. Sites like TrustDALE.com connect consumers with thoroughly vetted, credible companies — and back it up with Dale Cardwell’s exclusive $10,000 Make It Right Guarantee.

Final Thought

Belinda’s story is a powerful reminder: scammers count on you feeling powerless.

 

But knowledge is power.

 

And when you partner with trusted resources, even the most frustrating contractor nightmare can have a happy ending.