Contractor has license suspended after 28 code violations
A Chatham County contractor has had his license suspended after serious problems with one of his home builds.
For months, 5 On Your Side has been tracking the building code violations Jeremy Lindley committed while constructing a home for Jake and Anita Muehlbach.
In October, Lindley went before the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors to explain what happened.
After hearing from Lindley, Jake Muehlbach and expert witnesses, the Board made a decision about whether to revoke, suspend or leave Lindley’s contractor’s license intact.
The board identified 25 building code and three administrative code violations and said Lindley’s actions constituted incompetency and/or misconduct.
Despite those findings, Lindley could get his contractor’s license back in as little as six months.
The board suspended Lindley’s contractor’s license for 12 months. However, if he takes 60 hours of courses, pays up to $5,000 back to the board and doesn’t violate any other rules, Lindley could have his license reinstated by May 2024.
"I think the board’s ruling was basically a slap on the wrist," Jake Muehlbach told 5 On Your Side. "I think it sets the precedent for contractors that negligence and misconduct will be met with minimal consequences."
"The board’s own attorney stated this was the most code violations he’s ever seen on a house," Muehlbach continued. "What would it take to get a severe sentence if this is what the worst case scenario gets. We’re just surprised by the ruling and were disappointed."
5 On Your Side did reach out to the board for comment on the decision but have not yet heard back.
The Muehlbachs could become eligible for the Contractors Licensing Board’s victims recovery fund, but the most they could get from that fund would be a fraction of what they’d need to make repairs.
