by Cara Beth Lewis
This is a follow-up report of a previous article regarding unlicensed and uninsured contractors.
On Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021, BladenOnline received another complaint regarding a Bladen County unlicensed contractor. Jessica Clayton of Hope Mills, NC, shared her and John Clayton’s experience with uninsured and unlicensed contractor, Michael Joseph Phillips. Phillips is a “repeat offender” in the unlicensed contractor business (Read previous article, “Thousands of Dollars Lost to Unlicensed and Uninsured Contractors; National Consumer Protection Week Raises Awareness.”
The Claytons own a home in Cumberland County that they were hoping to sell before moving. Before putting the house on the market, there was work that needed to be done to the house. Michael Joseph Phillips was recommended to the Claytons by a neighbor. The work they were shown by their neighbor seemed to be quality work, so they contacted Phillips. According Mrs. Clayton, Phillips willingly admitted that he was licensed and insured.
Shortly after, the Claytons received a quote for the job from Phillips under the company name, Skyline Remodeling and Renovations. Mrs. Clayton stated, “Once work started, things quickly went downhill.” She told BladenOnline that the crew seemed inexperienced, and they even had to borrow a tool from Mr. Clayton in order to complete the job.
The total job price was $13,850.00, with an initial payment of $5,500 for labor and expenses. In addition, Phillips requested an additional $3,500 check to be written to his partner, Jamie Byrd.
Mrs. Clayton shared that of everything quoted, only one project was completed. They stained the front door, and in doing so they damaged the surrounding property. Mrs. Clayton stated, “they dropped stain all over the concrete on the porch, the metal threshold, and there is also stain all over the doorknob, lock, and Ring doorbell, along with stain on a potting bench that was sitting next to the front door that they did not bother to cover up, but instead placed their stain and tools on.” Knowing they had damaged the bench, they offered to Clayton’s daughter to stain it as well, but she declined the offer.
The contract stated several jobs that would be completed, but they never were; the work that was actually done was done poorly. Shower tile that was installed is broken and crooked, and they used mastic that is not water-resistant, and will dissolve when wet. During the demolition process, they damaged sheetrock in other areas that will have to be repaired. Among everything else, the Claytons describe Michael Joseph Phillips as unreliable.
On June 10th, 2021, Phillips told the Claytons that due to no adults in the home, he could not work. After being informed that Clayton’s children are adults, he then stated that he was attending a funeral and could not work that day at all.
On June 12th, 2021, workers were supposed to be present, but no one ever showed.
On June 14th, 2021, Phillips was not present. However, his partner Jamie Byrd was. Byrd informed the Claytons that due to Phillips’ anniversary the following day (June 15th) he would not be present then either.
On June 15th, 2021, Phillips claimed to have food poisoning, and shared that no one would be present again that day.
On June 16th, 2021, Mr. Clayton called Phillips at 9 a.m. with no answer. Immediately after, Mrs. Clayton called and Phillips answered. He told her that someone was on the way and he would return Mr. Clayton’s call immediately. Over an hour later, he returned the call and said that someone would be there in “an hour or so” due to a vehicle incident.
Following the persistent issues and conflict, Mrs. Clayton began researching John Michael Phillips and discovered pending issues in Bladen County. The Claytons decided that too much damage had occurred in the home for Phillips to continue working.
When Mr. Clayton requested receipts from Jamie Byrd, the message was ignored. Mrs. Clayton was added to the message and according to her, “Mr. Phillips immediately reached out to John (Mr. Clayton) for adding his wife to the texts and threatened John for breach of contract.”
Following the previously stated interaction, an attorney was hired by Mr. and Mrs. Clayton. Their attorney, Mr. Hugh Addison Winters, wrote a letter legally terminating the contract. In response to this, Phillips called the Claytons liars and stated that his insurance company would check the home, according to Mrs. Jessica Clayton.
“As of this time, we have not filed a small claim or a civil suit, as our attorney said it was very unlikely we would recover the money or supplies and we would likely spend more than what we were owed , which is what I believe Mr. Phillips counts on when he preys on people,” stated Mrs. Clayton.
The Claytons told BladenOnline they have video footage from their Ring doorbell camera to verify this information. There are also images showing the damage and “renovations.”
Mrs. Jessica Clayton also stated, “I hope there can be a resolution to this within your county. I hate to think that he can do this to others, especially with hurricane season upon us.”
Visit ftc.gov/complaint to file a report. Watch the video below for instructions.
Related article:
https://bladencounty.org/thousands-of-dollars-lost-to-unlicensed-and-uninsured-contractors-national-consumer-protection-week-raises-awareness/
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