‘Left With A Mess’: Verdigris Family Out Thousands After They Say Contractor Disappeared Without Finishing Project

A Verdigris family says they’re out $25,000 after they gave money to a contractor to add a room to their house who they say didn’t finish the job.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating the contractor, Justin Knotts, and he’s already been charged with felony home repair fraud in a different case in Delaware County.

Caitlyn Hill says she signed a contract back in April and paid that $25,000 deposit.

Now, she’s left with a hole in her yard and no extra room in her house.

Hill wanted to add a new room to her family’s house in Verdigris to give more space for herself, her husband, and her two kids.

They hired a contractor who Hill says came out and worked on the house for a couple days in June, then vanished.

"I talked to multiple contractors, and he did come out here, probably four or five times and talked with us,” said Hill. “Was really nice, had everything that he should have had. Then he got our money, and he kind of just disappeared."

Hill says it’s frustrating, because now they’re out thousands and have to hire someone new to finish the job.

"I felt, honestly, embarrassed that I gave him the money,” said Hill. “A lot of embarrassment and really upset that this addition was for my family, for our kids, for me and my husband, and now we're left with a mess"

She says she’s learned to be careful about paying money up front to contractors and hopes others will do their research before signing a contract.

"He wasn't coming out whenever we had asked him to, he wouldn't respond back to our texts, wouldn't respond back to our calls,” said Hill. “He also had excuses."

It’s also a good idea to look up references and work with people that are recommended by those you trust.

"Doing a quick search of people,” said Hill. “This particular guy changed his company name. I wish I would have known that before to reach out to other people about him."

News On 6 has tried to contact Knotts several times but has not been able to reach him.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and the D.A. will decide if any charges will be filed.