The Conclusion
“…decided to do a major renovation on that house they were so desperate to save. They wanted to flip it and sell it for a profit. They found a contractor who promised them a massive discount if they paid upfront in cash to keep it ‘off the books.’
To save a few thousand dollars, they handed him $40,000 in cash—and because it was an under-the-table deal, they never signed a contract.
The contractor gutted the entire first floor, tore off part of the roof, and then vanished. He ghosted them completely.
When they tried to take him to court, the judge threw out the case immediately. Without a signed agreement or a paper trail for the cash, it was just their word against his. The contractor actually claimed he’d never worked for them, and they couldn’t prove otherwise.
Now, their house has been condemned because it was left open to the rain and developed black mold. They lost the money, they lost the house, and they are currently living in a cheap motel.
I bought my friend a drink and smiled. It seems my sister finally learned the importance of getting things in writing.”
