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Published: 2007-08-20 18:23:00
Updated: 2007-08-20 18:26:23

Crews Fix Couple's Botched Remodeling Job


Crews Fix Couple's Botched Remodeling Job
Crews Fix Couple's Botched Remodeling Job
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Dozens of volunteers have donated about $90,000 in materials and labor in the past few weeks to remodel a local couple's house after an unlicensed contractor left the project in shambles.

Carol McPhaul hired John Shearer and his company, Home Remodeling Solutions, a year ago to make the home more accessible for her – she is legally blind – and her husband, George, who is recovering from a stroke and is on oxygen therapy.

Shearer received almost $125,000 from the couple, but left them with unfinished rooms, holes in the floor and live wires dangling from the ceiling.

After seeing the McPhauls' story on WRAL, Mike Marguerat of Landmark Construction began organizing an effort to fix the couple's home. More than 100 volunteers, many just walking up to lend a hand, have worked almost around the clock in recent days to complete the job.

"I 'll walk around, and I'll find people I haven't even met yet doing a job. They just drive up and jump in wherever, so it's been great," Marguerat said.

The volunteers are from area churches, large companies, small businesses – even a motorcycle group, he said.

Volunteer Ron Covert said got involved after seeing the McPhauls' story on WRAL.

"It did my heart well to come out here and lend a hand, even though it was just a very small hand. To be apart of it is truly a blessing," Colvert said.

Uneven, unfinished cabinets and nonworking appliances in the kitchen have been repaired. A 600-square-foot bedroom has been added to the house, including a handicapped-accessible closet and bathroom.

"I'm blown away, really, blown completely away," said Carol McPhaul, who has seen the renovations only from the outside.

The crews will hold an unveiling for the McPhauls on Thursday, Marguerat said.

"Now, I cry and I'm happy. Before, I was crying, and I was sad," Carol McPhaul said.

The state Attorney General's Office sued Shearer last month, accusing him of deceptive and unfair trade practices. A judge barred Shearer, who doesn't have a North Carolina contractor's license, from doing other remodeling projects.

Shearer has disputed the allegations in the state's lawsuit.


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Latest Comments
bear06229-Come on...give your real name...aren't you the guy who ripped these people off? You would have to be to make a post like this, or at least one who would be capable of doing such a thing.

What a shocker.Another poor handicapped couple pulling the wool over peoples eyes and getting what they want. Im so sick of stories like this,it always has to be a poor person or a handicapped person that we run and rescue and they know it and use it against us. you never here so 30 year old regular person got ripped off and we all run to help them.These people are users andpeople should realize that by now. they got what they wanted there house completely remodeled for a 100,000, if you know anything about construction that is cheap. so again another scam by the poor helpless people. Give me a break. And the rest of you should remember innoncent till proven guilty. what if one day someone sued you for doing something and everyone came down on you, im sure you would all be crying cause everyone is nailing you and you havent been proven guilty. Grow up and act like adults.If the guy is proven guilty then you have the right,but not yet. Get aclue people.

There are good people out in the world, willing and happy, to help someone when the need arises. It's a shame there are John Shearers in the world, but good can, and does, come out of evil.

How nice of these people to step in, and help.

I am not sure why it happened...Shearer has no conscience and he proved he is less than a man ripping off those folks like he did. What a LOSER, I hope he gets what is coming to him. Usually when you do bad things, bad things seem to seek you out and happen to you as well (bad karma) so I hope this plagues him the rest of his life. To the people who helped out, may god bless you with good things in your life to come for being so unselfish and caring!!

Crook....who said crook?? You know you can't judge a book by its cover!...This man has not been found guilty, "yet".....LOL!! I just had to put that there. I hope the crook gets what is just and owing....Hoorah for Landmark and the homeowners.......

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