News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, Sept. 24, 2012

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. -- A homeowner's backyard resembled a war zone until she called News 12's On Your Side.

"Oh, it was a horrible eyesore," Marianne Hodge said. "It was aggravating because I have a 2-year-old granddaughter that wanted to go outside and play."

Eddie Trimble with T&M Construction approached Hodge at her home in August.

"He said he would be able to take down all the pine trees in my yard for $3,200 and grind down the stumps and make it look brand new," she said.

She paid him $1,900 down.

Hodge says Trimble cut seven trees down and then just stopped working.

"He kept calling me and telling me he was going to come back," she said.

Hodge says her backyard was in a dangerous state with stumps, logs and debris piled high.

Hodge had no idea several of her neighbors already complained about T&M Construction and that the company has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau. Trimble also has a criminal history.

Finally, Hodge called News 12 On Your Side.

"I have watched it for years and always said, 'Oh if I have problems I'll call News 12 On Your Side,' but how fast you responded was amazing to me," Hodge said.

Trimble began finishing the job he started two days after News 12 contacted him.

"I can't believe how fast they responded," Hodge said.

Although he project isn't quite done, Hodge is optimistic her backyard will be in tiptop shape in another day or two.

Trimble tells us he should have the project finished tomorrow.

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