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Licensed contractors help Wake County homeowner left with a mess

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Thursday, September 17, 2015

Mary is getting a new screened-in porch and deck thanks to the Remodelers Council

KNIGHTDALE (WTVD) -- It's a good day for 77-year-old Mary Bobbitt as she takes the first swing at bringing down the screened-in porch that caused her so many frustrations.

Mary is getting a new screened in porch and deck thanks to the Remodelers Council, a group that's part of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

The group reached out to me after seeing the mess Mary was left with after she paid an unlicensed contractor $18,000 to build her a screened in porch and deck. Licensed contractors say the entire structure was built wrong and is unsafe.

But thanks to the Remodelers Council, Mary is finally getting her dream.

"I'm just so happy I just don't know what to do," Mary said.

This week licensed contractors, along with volunteers, are demolishing Mary's unsafe screened-in porch and deck the unlicensed contractor built.

"Giving back to communities in which we live in and work is really important. We can't just take, we have to give too, and that is something we all feel or we wouldn't be here," Betsy Lingenheld with the Remodelers Council said.

All of the labor and supplies are being donated. Once the old porch is torn down, the Remodelers Council is going to start fresh and build Mary a usable, screened-in porch and deck, complete with a handicap ramp.

"Having everyone show up and be positive, it's fun because construction is not always a positive job," Lingenheld said.

Mary watched as her porch came down. Sitting there with a big smile on her face, Mary said to Lingenheld, "Come back to my house when this is all done, and we are going to have a little fiesta."

Lingenheld says she will be there. Mary can't wait for the party now that she knows her dream porch will finally be a reality.

"I just thank God for the people that are helping me so I can enjoy my life a little better," she said.

The next step is pouring the footings, and then the rebuilding process can start.

We want to thank the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County for taking on such a big project and being so generous in helping our viewers.

Click here to learn more about the organization.

The Remodelers Council is under the Association, and is a great resource if you are looking to find licensed contractors and electricians.

Click here for tips on how to hire a contractor for your job.

Here is a list of the companies helping with Mary's project:

ABC Supply Company

Allura Fiber Cement

Blue Ribbon Residential Construction

Builders FirstSource