Bowling Green woman loses more than $19,000 in contractor scam

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As homeowners begin tackling summer projects, local officials are warning residents to be cautious when hiring contractors.

The warning comes after a Bowling Green woman was reportedly scammed out of more than $19,000 by a Tennessee contractor who allegedly promised to build a swimming pool at a discounted price but never completed the work.

According to Holly Warren, executive director of the Bowling Green Contractors Licensing Board, the contractor had a history of similar complaints in Tennessee.

“The contractor was from Tennessee and had a history of doing this there,” Warren said. “This is the first case we’ve identified in Kentucky, and it happened here in Bowling Green.”

Warren said court records show multiple individuals have previously taken legal action against the contractor in Tennessee, with judgments awarded in favor of victims. However, she said many of those victims have yet to receive payment.

Officials say pool projects are not the only scams targeting homeowners. The licensing board has also received complaints involving fraudulent paving and sealing companies that advertise through social media, flyers and door-to-door solicitations.

“We’ve seen cases where someone hires a contractor who knocked on their door, pays a deposit and either receives poor-quality work or no work at all,” Warren said. “Sometimes the work washes away after the first rain.”

The licensing board says residents should be cautious of contractors advertising unusually low prices, especially those without a physical address, proper licensing or proof of insurance.

Warren says complaints involving contractors have increased significantly over the years.

“When I started 25 years ago, we averaged six to eight complaints a year,” she said. “We’re only in June, and this is complaint number 27.”

Officials recommend homeowners verify contractors before signing a contract or making a payment. The Bowling Green Contractors Licensing Board maintains a list of licensed and insured contractors on its website.

Residents are encouraged to research contractors thoroughly and obtain multiple estimates before beginning any home improvement project.

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