A Retirement Dream Turned Into a Devastating Loss - Help Us Rebuild What Was Taken

Hello all, I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of my mother — a nearly retired woman with medical needs — who was left without a home after a contractor walked off the job, leaving her in a truly devastating situation.

In 2024, we hired a general contractor to build a modest in-law suite onto our home to provide a safe, accessible space for my mom. She sold her home and used the proceeds — and nearly all of her retirement savings — to fund this project. The job was valued at $117,000. We paid the contractor $115,000 based on his schedule and contract.

Eight months into the project, the work was far from complete. When we asked for a realistic timeline, the contractor abruptly withdrew from the job. Multiple independent professionals have since confirmed that $50,000 to $80,000 worth of work is still left undone. We’ve since learned that the contractor was not licensed to take on a project of this size, leaving us with limited recourse.

My mom has already undergone one knee replacement, and she is scheduled for two more surgeries on her wrists. She is now displaced and living in uncertainty while we try to patch together a plan — and a home — with what little we have left.

We’ve spent thousands more out of our own pockets trying to make the space livable, but at this point, we are out of funds. We can no longer cover needs, continue the build, or afford legal costs.

We are humbly asking for help to make the space safe, livable, and functional for my mom — something she believed she had already paid for.

Why This Matters

This space was supposed to be my mom’s forever home — a place of peace and security as she undergoes serious medical care, including:

A recent knee replacement surgery

Two upcoming surgeries on both wrists

Difficulty with mobility and activities of daily living

Now, she is displaced, living without a finished space, and we’ve run out of funds to continue building. Our family has already put in thousands of additional dollars trying to salvage what we could — but we’ve hit a wall.

How You Can Help

We are asking for support to help us:

Complete the remaining construction

Cover needs during recovery from her surgeries

Offset the unexpected financial burden caused by this situation

Every dollar will go directly toward completing the in-law suite and help offset the unexpected financial burden.

Where We Are Now

We’ve documented everything — the contracts, communications, and independent assessments — and are pursuing what limited options we have. But this is not just about legal action. It's about getting my mother back into a home she already paid for and giving her the dignity she deserves during this stage of life.

We’ve exhausted our own savings. We're emotionally and financially drained. And now, we are simply asking for help to get her across the finish line.

Thank You for Standing With Us

If you're able to give, any amount is deeply appreciated. If you're unable to donate, you can still help by sharing this campaign with your network. Every share, every bit of awareness makes a difference.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time, compassion, and support.

With gratitude,

Danielle & Family