CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Dozens of homeowners say they have lost thousands after a roofing company left town and their license is now suspended.
In a story last month, Orange Elephant Roofing customers claimed they were unable to contact the company at all after paying them to repair their homes.
After the story aired, a Facebook group called “Victims of Orange Elephant” was created. It now has more than 200 members from multiple states across the country.
Orange Elephant's website claims that they offer services in South Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, and Texas.
But Curtis Timma, who lives in Savannah, says Orange Elephant knocked on his door and offered to do his repair work. Little did he know at the time that the work would never come to fruition, even after spending $9,000.
“My roof was damaged in a hailstorm about a year ago,” says Timma. “I first contacted Orange Elephant Roofing in February. They previously did my neighbor's roof and then knocked on mine. They reached out to me, they were very helpful in communicating at first, so I had no reason not to trust them all. I saw a sign for Orange Elephant Roofing in my neighbor’s yard and thought this was a company I could trust.”
It's a story you hear again and again. Work was repeatedly postponed and around Halloween customers reported that all communication was stopped.
“They took my money and won’t call me back,” says Timma. “I was told it would be another six months and I’m just noticing a pattern here.”
Anthony Dawson and his wife Treasure of Summerville lost more than $43,000. Her house is so damaged that bees came into the house and stung Treasure because several trees had fallen on it. In addition, they cannot use their fireplace in the cold temperatures because it is separate from the house.
“It was frustrating,” says Dawson. “It was annoying. It’s a little emotional.”
But it's not just local. A former employee who oversaw operations and payments in South Carolina, Colorado and Illinois said he also owed money and he realized things weren't adding up.
“My side was more or less on the production side,” says Stephen Cox. “They signed up a lot of people here, in Illinois, where I am, and in South Carolina. They have a lot of people signed up. But how many builds have we actually completed? I'll say maybe 20 in about six months. Although we were able to recruit people at a much higher percentage.”
Cox worked at the company for six months but was fired in September after he sent an email to the owner asking where all the money was going. He says he also owes nearly $20,000 himself for contracting the company, which he did in addition to his normal duties. He provided all of this information to local authorities and the FBI.
“I know how much money came in, how much money was earmarked for things, and things just didn't add up,” Cox says. “The sellers up here in Illinois were bringing in $50, $60, $70,000 a week each. And then we wouldn't have any money for construction. We have not paid any of the invoices to the material suppliers. I had access to all of that. I never saw those numbers go down, they just stayed at the maximum.”
Multiple attempts to reach someone from the company and owner Jake Kelly went unanswered.
One of the suggestions for homeowners is to contact the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, the institution that primarily issues a contractor's license in South Carolina.
“During this process, we use the laws and regulations to check criminal backgrounds, verify contractor convictions, and meet other required criteria,” says Molly Price, LLR program director.
A contractor is required to renew his license every two years. However, when there are problems, they rely on the public to report them.
“Typically, a lot of abandonments occur where a contractor takes money from a person and doesn't come back, or does minimal work and doesn't come back, and the person is left out of money with very minimal services,” says LLR deputy disciplinary adviser Chris Elliott , says. “It is also very common for the work to be done incorrectly and the contractor not to come back and fix the errors. They took money, didn't give it back and were never seen again.
Elliott says every complaint is investigated and the harshest penalty they can impose is revocation of their license to practice in South Carolina.
As of Thursday afternoon, Orange Elephant's status at LLR is “Administrative Suspension.” According to the law, LLR could not say whether the company was under investigation.
Price has the following tips and advice for the public when it comes to who to hire.
- Don't rush into repairs. Unlicensed contractors looking to defraud people often prey on vulnerable people during difficult times.
- Make sure you get three written quotes from licensed or registered contractors. This will help you identify inflated prices. However, don't always choose the cheapest provider. If the offers you receive differ significantly, you should do additional research before making a decision.
- Be wary of door-to-door offers and flyers left at your door. Contractors who are conveniently “in the area” are usually not there for the right reasons.
- Always ask friends and family for recommendations. Recommendations from people you know and trust can make a big difference.
- Never pay in cash or commit to paying large amounts of money in advance.
- Require proof of license or registration. Out-of-state contractors must be properly licensed in SC to perform work here. License and registration information can be checked at llr.sc.gov.
- Before work begins, make sure you have a written contract that includes a schedule, scope of work, and price. The name on the contract should also match the name on the license.
- Inquire about any building permits that may be required. Work requiring a licensed contractor also typically requires a building permit from the local jurisdiction. If a contractor asks you to obtain the necessary authorization on your behalf, that's a red flag. By following proper permitting procedures, you can also ensure that the work meets state building codes and is safe for you and your family.
According to LLR, these are the active license numbers as of 12/11/24:
- General contractor: 11,630
- Mechanical contractors: 7,676
- Housing companies: 7,726
- Residential specialty contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC): 2,934
- Residential specialty registrants (roofing, masonry, drywall, etc.): 10,337
If you have problems, LLR not only recommends that you file a report with them, but also that you file a police report to keep it on record.
Starting in September, Cox said the sudden closure of Orange Elephant locations affected dozens of people who had already paid but had no work done.
“So in Illinois it’s about 180… 150 to 180,” Cox said. “And I know of at least 150 to 160 in South Carolina. And in Colorado there were probably about 20 or 30.”
Cox said vendors at Orange Elephant locations, at least in Illinois, didn't know this would happen because all locations were closed and work wasn't done. He says employees are upset because they haven't been paid either.
But homeowners say they want their money back.
“I go to work every day just to take care of my family,” says Dawson. “I'm an average American and this guy is just taking money out of my pocket that I use for my family to fix up my home for my family. I am more than just a lawsuit. I would also like criminal charges to be filed. All.”
Customers in the Facebook group alone collectively say they have lost more than half a million dollars.
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