Woman Warns About Avoiding Bad Contractors for Home Remodeling

Homeowner paid $2,000 deposit but contractor never showed up to fix leaky roof

Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:19am

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A homeowner in Cincinnati, Ohio paid a $2,000 deposit to a contractor to replace her leaky roof, but weeks later the contractor never showed up and her roof continues to flood her home. This highlights the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors before hiring them for any home remodeling project.

Why it matters

Home remodeling projects can be a major investment, and hiring the wrong contractor can lead to costly disasters. This story serves as a cautionary tale for homeowners to be wary of contractors, especially those going door-to-door, and to take the necessary steps to verify their credentials, licensing, insurance, and reviews before signing any contracts.

The details

Homeowner Cristyn Cahill signed a contract with a roofer who claimed to have done previous work in her neighborhood. She paid a $2,000 deposit, but weeks later the contractor never showed up to replace her leaky roof. The contractor also failed to deliver any supplies. Cahill is now stuck with a leaking roof and has to find a new contractor, causing further delays and costs.

  • Cahill paid the $2,000 deposit to the contractor.
  • Weeks later, the contractor still had not shown up to replace the roof.

The players

Cristyn Cahill

A homeowner in Cincinnati, Ohio who paid a $2,000 deposit to a contractor to replace her leaky roof, but the contractor never showed up.

Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati

The local Better Business Bureau chapter that provides advice to homeowners on how to avoid issues when hiring contractors for home remodeling projects.

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What they’re saying

“The guy that came out was very nice, and I respected him and believed what he was going to give me in the new roof.”

— Cristyn Cahill, Homeowner

“'I was down the street, and I did a concrete job, and I have some extra material. I can give it to you dirt cheap.' Those types of things you want to look out for.”

— Christine Hayley, Vice President of Operations, Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati

What’s next

Cahill will need to find a new, reliable contractor to replace her leaky roof, which will further delay the project and likely incur additional costs.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors before hiring them for any home remodeling project. Homeowners should be wary of door-to-door salespeople, verify licenses and insurance, get everything in writing, and check reviews to avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous contractors.