NORTON SHORES, Mich. — She paid more than $2,000 for three small rooms in her home to be painted, but 69-year-old Christine Nicholes is convinced she has not gotten the most bang for her buck.
In fact, the job still isn’t finished.
The intention, Nicholes said, was to get her home looking better. She fosters at least 20 cats — all of which are older and likely to not be adopted. Something she knows has been taking a toll.
“I want my house to look nice, you know?” She said. “And yes, the cats have done a lot of collateral damage — and I'm trying to pay for it out of my Social Security to get the house back up to speed again.”
But the work that has been done? She said it’s far from great.
“You can see this wall plate has drips on it,” Nicholes said, pointing to various spots in her laundry room. “Then there were drips on this stuff.”
Her frustrations lie with a man named James Ferguson.
Nicholes explained that she had originally commented on a post within the Muskegon Helping Muskegon community page on Facebook of a man looking for work.
But a completely different person — Ferguson — ended up contacting her Dec. 8, 2023.
His message was kind in nature, and he claimed to have more than 10 years of construction experience.
Nicholes went through with an estimate and liked what he had to say, including his suggestion on how to repair one of her door jambs.
“When James came over, he was very nice — very cordial,” Nicholes said. “I had no problem with him.”
The two agreed on the price of $2,500. Ferguson drew up a written agreement, per Nicholes’ request.
While likely not a legally enforceable contract, the document, dated Dec. 14, 2023, spelled out that Nicholes would pay $500 up front in exchange for Ferguson’s service of removing items from three rooms, then cleaning, priming and painting all three areas, as well as damage repair to certain areas. Once the job was completed, Nicholes would pay the remaining $2,000.
Ferguson came the next day — Dec. 15. But something was different.
“He came in with an attitude,” she said. “He had paid somebody $250 to help him on the job here, and he couldn't get ahold of them couldn't contact and blah, blah, blah, whatever — he was mad.”
Nicholes said Ferguson’s helper would eventually arrive, but she began to pick up on problems with his handiwork.
“When I went out there, I looked behind the washer and the dryer — he hadn't even painted back there,” she said. “I said, ‘James, what about this?’ ‘Grumble, grumble, grumble’ — that was it.”
Ferguson would later paint behind the washer and dryer, but even in that instance she said there are drips of paint that looked far from what one would expect from someone with more than 10 years of experience.
Technically, the work had been completed in both the foyer and laundry room, but her half bathroom was untouched.
Ferguson, who had been complaining about his paint bleeding through, said he needed to purchase more paint and was asking for an additional $300, Nicholes said.
“I said, ‘I can't afford that — I'm already paying you $2,500 to do three rooms — it's not my fault — you're the experienced person here,’” Nicholes said. “I said, ‘When you get those two rooms done, you're gonna have to be done, because I can't afford to give you any more money' … I was going to be up a creek without a paddle with that last room.”
She said Ferguson felt bad, and decided to move forward with the final room, but it wasn’t without asking for the remaining $2,000 he was supposed to get at the end of the job.
Nicholes went to the bank, and withdrew $1,000 instead, because she had a funny feeling about the situation, but it backfired.
“He got in my face and was mad because I didn't have the whole $2,000,” she said. “But he badgered me and intimidated me to the point and said, ‘Alright, we'll go to the bank.’”
As of the morning of Jan. 2, 2024, her bathroom is unfinished.
The 13 HELP Team made multiple attempts to contact Ferguson, but our calls were never returned.
Adding to Nicholes’ difficulty — Ferguson had only been in contact with her via Facebook Messenger. She didn’t get a business card, website or even a phone number.
A search for Ferguson’s information didn’t show any businesses related to him that offer painting services, which suggests he may just take on small jobs for cash.
What started as a kind, albeit expensive offer to help, is now a roughened relationship, with Nicholes running out of hope.
“I can't do it,” she said. “That's why I called you guys — and I've been upset because of the whole situation.”
A day after our Dec. 28 interview with Nicholes, she said Ferguson reached out and apologized, adding that he wants to finish the job. Nicholes responded, asking him to come Tuesday, Jan. 2. It is unclear if Ferguson will follow through.
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