News 12 at 6 o'clock / Friday, Aug. 17, 2012

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. -- A homeowner is at her wit's end after paying a contractor $12,000 nearly a year ago for a project that is still unfinished.

Lenora Howard admits she made a mistake. She didn't check the contractor's references before paying him thousands of dollars.

"The plumbing isn't done, the roof is leaking, the siding he hasn't put up," she said.

Nearly a year ago, Howard hired a contractor to build her dream sun room.

"He would say, I'm coming, I'm coming, and it's always a lie," she said.

The contractor is Nasheed Talib, owner of Vision Dream Builder. News 12 On Your Side learned Talib is licensed to work in Georgia but not in South Carolina where Howard lives.

"Right now I'm very sick to my stomach," Howard said.

Howard isn't just sick that she paid $12,000 for an unfinished room but also because of the work itself. The roof is leaking and the floor is uneven.

News 12 On Your Side talked to Talib several times over the phone. He promised time and time again he would finish the room. He also promised the job would be done in two weeks. The deadlines was Monday and the room is still unfinished.

Talib also agreed to an interview with News 12 on Friday. However, he did not show up or answer any of our calls.

News 12 On Your Side went by the company address listed on Howard's contract, but it lead us to a bar. We also stopped by Talib's home, but nobody would answer the door.

Unfortunately, Howard may be out of luck. The building permit is in her name, which releases the contractor from liability.

County officials say you always want the contractor to apply for the permit themselves, that way the county has a chance to conduct a background on their credentials.

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