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Deck Dispute Leaves Homeowner On Shaky Ground

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Reporter: Mike McKnight

Deck Dispute Leaves Homeowner On Shaky Ground

A homeowner got a shock when he found a city notice on his door. It had to do with a large deck project in the back yard. Did the contractor follow the law? It's a lesson for anyone planning a major home improvement project.

“It’s not safe at all and I have small children," said Jeremy Jones, who put down $5,500 for an enclosed deck and the contract promised that the contractor would get city permits. “We explained we wanted the permits taken care of by him and I assumed they were being done.”

The contractor applied, but didn't supply enough details to get a city permit. “A permit must be issued before the work can begin,” said Jay Davis, superintendent of permits and inspections.

A city inspector found the project well underway. Imagine the shock of Jeremy's wife when she got home one night and found a stop work notice from a city inspector taped to the front door of their home near 162nd and Fort.

"Because the footing inspection wasn't done, which couldn't be done because we didn't have a permit issued,” said Davis. “We have suspect as to what the footing itself may be.”

Contractor Armondo Villarreal tells Fact Finders the homeowner pressured him to complete the job. The homeowner is responsible for permits and the city takes too long for inspection, but the homeowner’s lawyer sent a refund demand to the contractor.

“They don't necessarily have the money now to pay a new contractor to correctly put up the deck,” said Jones’ lawyer, Radley Clemens.

Jones denies pressuring the contractor to finish his deck without permits. “I wouldn't give any money out until you have a permit that's approved." Jones hopes a new contractor will get permits soon so his family can hit the deck by summer.

The Better Business Bureau reports this is the only complaint against the deck builder. The city says it usually takes up to 10 working days for application approval and then an inspection the day it’s requested.