Chicago Couple Sues Contractor After $120K Remodel Leaves Home “Falling Apart”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – What began as a dream remodel for a Roscoe Village couple has turned into what they call a construction nightmare. Bill and Mary Lennon say shoddy work on their $120,000 project left their home unsafe and in disrepair, leading them to sue their contractor.
From Dream Project to Legal Battle
In 2023, the Lennons hired Cobblestone Remodeling to complete a full exterior overhaul on their home, including siding, windows, gutters, and a porch. They paid $108,000 of the contract but withheld the balance, claiming the job was riddled with defects.
“The siding is shoddy, it’s falling apart. It’s cracking and bowing,” said Bill Lennon. Photos provided by the couple show warped panels, chipped trim, and gaps that could allow water intrusion.
According to their lawsuit, the remodel also left them with an unstable porch, a defective roof from gutter installation, and siding that was improperly installed and allegedly not up to code.
Independent Inspections and Costly Repairs
The couple says two independent inspectors confirmed the defects. They estimate it could cost at least $150,000 to strip and replace the exterior.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Lennon said. “The fact that everything needs to be replaced and they disagree.”
Mary Lennon added, “We are shelling out money that we don’t have to pay for an attorney… to try to get some money back to redo our house.”
Contractor’s Response
Cobblestone Remodeling has since closed. In a response filed through its attorney, the company denies wrongdoing, insisting its work was neither defective nor unprofessional. The company pointed to its A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a record of completing thousands of projects with only two lawsuits in 35 years.
The former owner, Bill Conforti, has since launched a new company called Cobblestone Exteriors LLC, which is not named in the lawsuit.
Cobblestone said it attempted to resolve the dispute by offering the Lennons a new roof, partial exterior replacement, and forgiveness of the $12,000 balance. The couple rejected the offer, demanding a full redo.
Lessons for Homeowners
Industry experts advise homeowners to pay contractors in thirds — at the start, middle, and end of a project — and to use a credit card to dispute charges if necessary.
For the Lennons, the advice comes too late. “It’s been an absolute nightmare,” Bill Lennon said. “It’s not like we have the cash laying around, so we took out a 20-year loan.”
As the lawsuit unfolds, the Roscoe Village couple is left fighting to reclaim both their investment and the safety of their home. For ongoing community stories and consumer updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.