Homeowner Loses $2,500 for Patio to 'F'-Rated Contractor

EAST COLUMBUS (Jen French) -- A homeowner wants her money back after her backyard patio project was never finished. Amanda Hagans' backyard has had more gravel than grass all summer. She says she's hired new help to get her backyard back in shape. Last April, Hagans spent $2,500 for a new backyard patio. She hasn't had any luck getting in touch with Joe Burton's Tree Service and Snow Removal -- the first contractor she hired to do the job. Hagans took the case to court, but Joe Burton didn't show up. "It's my entire savings account actually -- and, now I don't have any," Hagans said. "He doesn't answer the phone for me at all. He only communicates with me every once in a while through a text." ABC 6/FOX28 News reached Joe Burton by phone. He said he was unable to do an on camera interview during the past week due to job=and other obligations. Burton claims he removed a tree for Hagans for free once. He said he doesn't plan on refunding her money because he's already spent it on supplies for her yard. On the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau's website, Burton's Tree Service and Snow Removal has an "F" rating. "It's information we've had to gather from consumer complaints," said Joan Coughlin, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations of the Central Ohio BBB. Coughlin said the BBB has contacted Burton's Tree Service and Snow Removal by phone and mail several times to address Hagans' complaint and another unresolved issue. Coughlin advises customers to check with the BBB to see if a business is accredited before handing over money or signing a contract.