Dusty Costa and his wife planned to make some changes in their home to help ease his discomfort from living with cerebral palsy. But after paying nearly $70,000 for a home addition, they say they received used materials and shoddy work in return, and the couple told the contractors to stop coming. Now, they’re left with a damaged, unfinished home and little recourse.
"These people ruined our lives," Costas said to KDKA News. "I can sit here all day and say that 300 times over. They ruined our lives."
The Costas’ experience highlights how quickly a renovation can turn into a financial and emotional nightmare. Here’s what happened.
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A renovation gone wrong leads to financial disaster
Dusty Costa and his wife, Susan, told KDKA News that they hired a company called Eaton Home Improvements of Darlington, Pennsylvania, to renovate their home.
But Costa says issues with the contractors began almost immediately. Despite paying for new materials, the workers started showing up with used supplies, including "five used windows and a used door for the shower," he told CBS News.
"We paid, but we didn’t know what we were getting. Normally, when you put an addition on your house, you get new stuff," Costa told CBS News, explaining that he had been told the project would cost $60,000, but that he ended up paying $66,000.
Costa says the contractors made several mistakes throughout the project — including installing fixtures too high or upside down and creating plumbing issues, such as a pipe leak that damaged the dining room drywall. After repeated problems and mounting frustration, the Costas told the workers not to return.
"We told them just not to come back," Susan said.
But with the project left unfinished, the couple is now left with a home in disrepair. The floor is buckling, there are no counters, and both the bedroom and bathroom remain incomplete. They’ve launched a fundraiser in hopes of restoring their home to a livable condition. For Dusty, whose mobility is already limited, the uneven floors have made daily life even harder. “I fall more than I can walk,” he said.
After KDKA Investigates struggled to get in touch with the company, they eventually reached the co-owner’s sister. She claimed the Costas still owed Eaton Home Improvements $8,000 and insisted the company’s work was “exceptional.”
When asked for a copy of the contract, receipts for purchased materials, or bank deposit records, the woman said she couldn’t promise her sister would return the call or provide documentation. As of now, no follow-up has been made.
KDKA also searched the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s database but found no record of the company being registered.
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Protecting against contractor disasters
The Costas’ experience underscores just how vulnerable homeowners can be when a renovation goes wrong — especially when safeguards aren’t in place to hold contractors accountable.
Hiring a contractor can be a confusing and overwhelming process, but taking a few key steps up front can significantly reduce the risk of fraud or unfinished work. Here are some important protections to consider:
- Verify licensing and registration. Make sure the contractor is properly licensed and registered to operate in your state. For example, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General offers a Home Improvement Contractor Search tool. Many states offer similar resources online.
- Getting a signed contract. The contract should outline the full scope of the work, who is responsible for materials, whether materials will be new or used, a cost estimate, and a cap on how much the total cost can exceed that estimate (such as 10%).
- Checking references. Talk with past clients of the contractor. If possible, see if you can see their work in person to evaluate its quality.
- Pay in stages. Instead of paying a large sum up front, arrange to pay in installments as specific milestones are completed. This payment schedule should be outlined in the contract.
- Ensure permits are obtained. Most home improvement projects require permits. If a contractor avoids permits, that’s a major red flag.
- Consider hiring an inspector. For larger projects, bring in a licensed inspector at key stages of construction to confirm the work meets code before making additional payments.
Following these steps can help homeowners avoid falling into the same situation the Costas are now facing.
For now, the couple remains hopeful that someone will step in to help them finish the job. “I mean, we’re bleeding dry here,” Costa said. “That’s why we need some money back or somebody to just come in — a good-hearted individual — to say, ‘Here, let me lend you some help.’”
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
