NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - "To see the non-caring attitude of the people, it was just...take," Betty Lucas cannot hold back the tears when she talks about the remodeling job on her North Fort Myers home.

She recalls this last year as a nightmare, "You get to the point where people start to think you are neurotic or going crazy or you're not in your right mind."

Lucas, a widow, estimates she's thousands of dollars, lost to contractors she claims ripped her off. She tells us multiple contractors have either left behind shoddy craftsmanship, or never finished at all. "I've got electrical outlets that don't work," she explained.

A report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office tells us investigators with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or DBPR, investigated one of the contractors working on her home.

Officials will DBPR confirmed the investigation.

He allegedly didn't finish a remodeling job when Lucas refused to pay a remaining balance. She says he pressured her for more and more money and she eventually decided to not pay the remaining balance due to poor workmanship.

The contractor's name is not being released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, however DBPR confirmed the person in question was not licensed by the state.

Lucas thought she could take the man at his word, but is learning, you can't do that nowadays.

Verifying a contractor's license is one of the most important steps you can take according to DBPR.

Lucas wants others to hear her story, so they don't suffer the same heartache, "We're just like the sap on the tree, they like to suck the sap off of you."

All it takes is one phone call, you can also log on to the state's web-site to find out whether a contractor is properly licensed for the work you are hiring them for, or if they have a history of complaints.

You can call DBPR's Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

You can also call a toll-free number for unlicensed activity complaints at 1-866-532-1440.


HOTLINKS:

Verify a contractor's license - This website will allow you verify whether your contractor has a license and list any history of complaints.

Tips for remodeling your home - Learn your rights and the steps you need to take before you choose a contractor for a home project.