A tree crashed through a 1970 Atlanta homeowner's living room; a bad contractor left a $35,000 chimney problem before she recovered $57,000

A massive tree falling through an Atlanta home turned a familiar living space into the starting point of a months-long repair dispute for homeowner Judy Standard. The house, which she bought in 1970, suffered extensive damage to its chimney, roof, walls, deck and hardwood floors. What followed was another problem. The contractor Standard hired was not licensed for residential work and left important repairs unresolved. After an investigation by Atlanta News First, the situation took an unexpected turn, with Standard eventually receiving $57,000 through a contractor settlement and an additional insurance payment.What happened to the Atlanta homeowner after the tree crashed through her living roomJudy had lived near Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta since purchasing the house in 1970. According to Atlanta News First, the property had long been her home and was filled with natural light and her own paintings. That changed when a large tree crashed through the chimney and into the living room.The damage was extensive. State Farm estimated the repairs at $250,722, covering the roof, chimney, deck, walls and hardwood floors affected by water. The July 14 report from Atlanta News First said the insurance estimate was intended to cover the broad rebuilding work required after the accident.Standard needed someone to handle the repairs, and a contractor arrived at the property alongside her roofer. She said she did not know how the contractor had found out about the damage. She eventually hired him and signed over about $210,000 in insurance payments for the work.The contractor left behind a costly chimney problemThe contractor's crew completed much of the work, and Standard said several parts of the job were done well. The chimney, however, became a major concern. Atlanta News First reported that the contractor acknowledged he had not used the masonry company originally submitted to Standard's insurer because its quote was too expensive.A later inspection by another masonry company found the rebuilt chimney had been improperly constructed. The estimated cost to rebuild it correctly was $35,000, creating one of the most serious unresolved problems in the project. The July investigation also reported that $14,000 had been allocated for hardwood floor repairs, but Standard said no boards had actually been replaced.The problems were made more difficult by the contractor's credentials. Atlanta News First confirmed that he did not have a state-issued residential contractor's licence. He also had not obtained the required city permit for the work. The contractor acknowledged that the project was his first contracting job, according to the Atlanta News First report.What happened when Standard sought legal helpWith the repairs still unresolved, Standard turned to Atlanta Legal Aid. A pro bono senior attorney reviewed the case and sent the contractor a demand letter seeking $78,000 for incomplete or defective work, including the chimney.The contractor initially disagreed with the claims and considered the matter closed, according to Atlanta News First. However, after the investigation began asking questions, he agreed to meet Standard and her attorney. The meeting eventually led to a proposed $45,000 settlement. The July report said the contractor had agreed to that amount, although the payment had not yet been made at the time.How the homeowner ultimately recovered $57,000The outcome changed after Atlanta News First published its investigation. The broadcaster reported on August 18 that someone at State Farm saw the story and the insurer subsequently reevaluated Standard's claim.Two State Farm representatives then arrived at Standard's home and hand-delivered a $12,000 cheque. Atlanta News First said the additional payment came after the insurer reviewed the situation, although the report did not specify which particular repair accounted for the payment.The contractor's settlement also moved forward. Standard received a certified cheque for $45,000 from him, bringing the total amount she received through the two resolutions to $57,000.Lessons for homeowners from Standard's experienceThe case also highlighted the risks homeowners can face when trying to organise urgent repairs after major property damage. Atlanta News First reported that residential contractors working without the required state licence are not authorised to pull building permits. It also noted that policyholders are generally responsible for how insurance payments are distributed among contractors.State Farm offered several recommendations in its August report. The insurer advised homeowners to obtain multiple estimates, check a contractor's licence and insurance, verify references and insist on detailed written estimates. It also recommended staggering payments instead of paying everything in advance and keeping track of project costs.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.