A South Florida couple wanted to switch to solar energy to save money. But over $60,000 and three years later their roof is covered with panels that produce no electricity and now the city is handing out fines. So they turned to Help Me Howard with Brandon Beyer.
There is a lot of positive energy coming from Bill and Mary Garrett’s home in Coral Springs.
Mary is a musician. She has filled her house with instruments.
Mary Garrett: “This is a dulcimer.”
However, one energy you won’t find here is solar energy. Despite having 42 panels installed on the roof, the Garrets spent $65,000 on the project three years ago.
Bill Garrett: “A traveling salesman came to my door and convinced me that I could eliminate my electric bill and save the planet by reducing my solar footprint.”
Work started immediately and was almost finished within a few weeks, but there is one final step.
Bill Garrett: “All we have to do is flip this switch, and we’re done.”
Unfortunately, the company they hired was ‘done’. It went bankrupt even though the Garretts’ finance company had paid them in full.
Bill Garrett: “And then the company was gone and there was no one to do it. That was three years ago.”
They hired another company to do the job. They also went bankrupt.
Now Bill can’t find anyone willing to do the work.
Bill Garrett: “They say, ‘Well, we don’t work on other people’s projects and your panels are too old.'”
As if that wasn’t bad enough, since the job hasn’t been completed, the city is now charging them $100 a day and threatening to put a lien on the house.
Bill Garrett: “I’m going to lose my house.”
Howard, do the Garrets have options?
Howard Finkelstein: “This is no different than a contract for services. You never want to pay all the money before the work is done. By withholding the final payment, you can have money in your pocket to hire someone else if the company goes bankrupt, as in this case. The same should also apply to the lender, because they were responsible for dispersing the money.”
We called the City of Coral Springs and they agreed to “continue this case until May,” and they will “delay the certification of the lien.” They won’t ‘stop the fines’, but at least the attic rooms have a little more time.
Mary Garrett: “You should have seen us dancing. We were so excited and thank you, thank you, thank you.”
No solar energy yet, but plenty of positive energy, and sometimes that is exactly what you need.
Bill Garrett: “We have hope. Thank you.”
They’re so close to being done. They just need a contractor to help them flip that switch. We’ll let you know what happens.
Do you have a problem? Need a hand? Below you will find how to find us. It’s Help Me Howard, I’m Brandon Beyer, 7News.
CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Brandon Beyer at bbeyer@wsvn.com
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