NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Hundreds of Tennesseans are complaining about the quality of work done on their homes by contractors and home improvement professionals.

WSMV4 Investigator Courtney Allen found there was a staggering number of complaints last year against them.

Nearly 700 complaints have already been filed in 2024. Now, state lawmakers are stepping in.

Dan Paxton has been building bridges around Middle Tennessee for more than 20 years. However, it has received a lot of bad calls lately.

“Ten (calls in the last six months) … Work unfinished, work not done right,” Paxton said.

The Metro Codes Department said an unlicensed contractor is posing as Deck Masters of TN, LLC, Paxton’s licensed company. The unlicensed contractor is supposed to walk away with people’s money and never come back to finish the job.

“It’s a fear for me because it gives me a bad name,” Paxton said.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) said it is investigating. Paxton’s case is far from unique. TDCI received more than 900 complaints in 2023 from contractors.

That’s by far the biggest in years, a 44 percent increase over 2019. That’s no surprise to Paxton.

“A lot of people are in depressed areas saying, ‘Wow, Nashville is hot,'” Paxton said. “‘We’re moving to Nashville and starting a (home improvement) business in Nashville.’

Despite the increase in complaints, TDCI’s number of full-time investigators has not changed. They have three dedicated exclusively to contracting issues. WSMV4 Investigates asked Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn if she thinks enough is enough.

“Of course not,” Rep. Behn said.

TDCI said its staff numbers are adequate as they have 23 other staff who can work on a contractor’s case if needed. However, Rep. Behn plans to introduce a bill in the January legislative session that includes adding more investigations to TDCI’s budget.

“Especially if we’re increasing the penalties, we’re absolutely going to need investigative power to do that,” Behn said.

Republican Senator Kerry Roberts has a different approach.

“Ironically, the best solution is not a government solution,” Senator Roberts said. “The best solution we need is for people to just be skeptical.”

Paxton said that with the high demand for home improvement services, beware of the lowest bidder.

“And if they’re good at all, they’re not available, or you’re going to have a wait,” Paxton said.

He said people should also check licenses, not put down a lot of money up front and make sure the company name is consistent on paperwork and checks. Additionally, check every reference provided. Paxton said he gives it a 10 out of 12.

“It’s not hard to get everything right,” Paxton said. “You don’t have to rob people.”

TDCI said to contact them if you have questions about a contractor. The department keeps disciplinary actions against contractors on file that they can share. TDCI contact information can be found Here.

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