Victims say charming contractor Jacob McCandlish took them for thousands of dollars for work never done.
DAVISON, Mich. (WJRT) - A charming contractor has left a trail of victims devastated, broke and hoping for compensation.
Patricia Uhde loves her Davison Township home. Growing up lower income on Flint’s north side, she’s grateful and poured her heart and soul into her dream home.
When she got a leak and the siding needed repair, she reached out to what she thought was a reputable contractor: Red’s General Contracting.
"I asked for a quote. He came right out, charming guy, said he could fit me in," Uhde said. "I paid him half, $3,500, wrote him a check and was ecstatic to get the work done."
However, she said the contractor, Jacob McCandlish, never came to do the work. Instead, she got the run-around and excuses for over a year.
"I am contacting him. He’s not picking up and he’s not calling, his voicemail is full," Uhde said.
Her request for a refund was ignored, so she filed a police report and a civil lawsuit. Uhde wasn’t the only one looking for McCandlish with Red’s General Contracting.
Amy Waddington and her husband hired McCandlish and Red’s General Contracting to build a pole barn. On Jan. 23, 2022, they paid him a deposit of $40,500.
Amy said McCandlish took their money and never returned.
"In April, I said we want our money back," Waddington said. "That’s when the crap hit the fan -- excuses one after another."
Waddington and her husband filed a police report with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, but she didn’t stop there. To arrest McCandlish, authorities need to find him.
"I put out a Facebook blast, said $500 if you find this guy and put him in front of me so I can have him arrested," said Waddington.
The two women had never met before but came to know one another through their despair of wanting to stop McCandlish and prevent others from falling victim.
"Will I ever see my money? Probably not. I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else," said Waddington.
McCandlish's business phone number has been disconnected and his email address is no longer valid, so he could not be reached for comment. He also is no longer doing business at Red’s General Contracting at 8021 N. State Road in Davison.
