Imagine handing over your hard-earned savings for a dream home improvement, only to be left with broken promises, unfinished work, and a gaping hole in your wallet. This nightmare is becoming a reality for a growing number of North Carolina homeowners who entrusted their sunroom projects to Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh. WTVD's Troubleshooter investigation has uncovered a disturbing pattern: customers paying hefty deposits, but receiving little to no work in return, and struggling to get their money back.
More and more homeowners are stepping forward with strikingly similar stories. They describe a company that readily accepts large deposits for all-seasons sunrooms, then fails to deliver on its promises, leaving projects incomplete and refunds unissued. The sense of betrayal and financial loss is palpable, and these customers are demanding accountability.
Take Leann Simpson-Tarokh and her husband, Saeed, from Cary, for example. In June 2024, they contracted with Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh to transform their back porch into a stunning all-seasons sunroom. The initial contract was for a substantial $81,000. Leann recalls the owner confidently assuring them, "We can do this. We can get it done quickly. No problem."
Originally slated to begin in December 2024, the project was plagued by delays. "We started having delays and delays and delays," Leann explained. Work finally commenced in April 2025, and the couple, trusting the process, paid over $72,000 with the understanding that the sunroom would be completed by July 2025. But here's where it gets controversial... Saeed describes a stark contrast between promise and reality: "The work wasn't being done."
As of today, the project remains unfinished, and the work that has been completed is riddled with problems. Leann pointed out the issues to ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson, "This is water damage. Right here, there's leakage through here. There's a leakage by the door." Adding insult to injury, the newly installed door leading to the backyard is so difficult to open that they're forced to use their front door to access their own backyard! Can you imagine the frustration?
And this is the part most people miss... The Tarokhs are not alone. This isn't an isolated incident. In November, Wilson first reported on the troubling allegations against Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh. Another customer, Candace, shared her devastating experience: "They never sent a crew. Never sent any materials. Never sent anything. Never texted. Never called." Despite paying over $40,000 in 2024, Candace received absolutely no work. Her determination is unwavering: "I'm not going away. It was too much money to just walk away from. I will stay until I've been fully refunded."
Bob Gustavson of Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh initially responded to Wilson, promising to refund Candace's money. He even sent a $10,000 check with a note vowing to repay the remaining deposit as soon as possible. In an email to Wilson, the owner attributed the delays to a "significant and unforeseen shortage of skilled laborers," coupled with "significant material price increases and increased freight delivery costs." Gustavson claimed, "We are losing money on each job and that an insufficient crew size further worsened delays." He concluded, "Please be assured that we are not thieves; we are a small company currently navigating through some challenging times. We sincerely regret that this situation has unfolded and are trying our hardest to rectify it as quickly as possible."
However, the scope of the problem extends far beyond these initial cases. Wilson has received similar complaints from numerous other customers across the Triangle area. An Apex couple reports paying Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh over $25,000 a year ago to begin their project, yet still have nothing to show for it. A Fuquay-Varina homeowner says she paid $8,000 last March to start her project. While a single day's worth of work was completed, she hasn't heard from the company since.
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office confirms it has received complaints from ten customers accusing the company of taking money and failing to complete work. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors is also investigating a complaint filed against Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh. This raises a serious question: Is this simply a case of a struggling business, or is there a more deliberate pattern of deception at play?
In a more recent response to Wilson, Lisa Gustavson of Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh offered a different perspective, stating, "Since your last email we have 3 customers not pay us the remaining balances on their projects. Those total almost $35,000. We are trying to finish the projects that decided to stay with us, despite the negative reviews. With having only 1 crew, it's taking anywhere between 3-6 weeks to complete a project, depending on the complexity of that project. This has been very hard on both of us, navigating these challenges, but we are trying our best to get everyone paid back as soon as possible." This paints a picture of a company struggling with cash flow and customer dissatisfaction.
Returning to the Tarokhs' situation, Leann laments, "It's just it's a mess." The couple now faces the daunting task of hiring another contractor to repair the shoddy work and complete the project, incurring further expenses and delays. They are speaking out to warn others and to urge the North Carolina Attorney General's Office to take decisive action. Saeed emphasized, "There is a trend in this, and this is not just one person who is complaining. There are many people. So the expectation was that the office of the attorney general to protect consumers like us."
We will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as homeowners receive refunds or if Four Seasons Sunrooms of Raleigh completes the outstanding projects.
What do you think? Is this simply a case of a business struggling to meet its obligations, or is there something more concerning happening here? Have you had a similar experience with home improvement contractors? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
