Stephen McCoy, a disabled and retired veteran, hired Seabreeze Roofing and Sheet Metal in Boynton Beach to replace his aging roof before hurricane season. He made six payments to the company totaling more than $17,000 and said the work was mostly satisfactory. However, two holes remained unfinished on the back of his home, and when McCoy tried to get them fixed, the contractor stopped responding to his calls, texts and emails. Screenshots showed he had attempted to reach the company multiple times starting in January, including a follow-up email from a worker on February 5 who promised the owner would call. That call never came.
The situation worsened when McCoy received letters from Gulfeagle Supply, a material supplier, warning that a nearly $7,000 lien had been filed against his home. According to the lien document, Gulfeagle Supply had provided materials to Seabreeze Roofing for McCoy's property but had not been paid. McCoy found himself caught in the middle of a payment dispute between the contractor and the supplier. "They're basically saying they never paid them the $6,900, so now they took a lien out on my house," McCoy said. The prospect of dealing with attorneys or court proceedings added to his anxiety and financial burden.
After months without resolution, McCoy turned to WPTV for help. Investigative reporter Kate Hussey visited Seabreeze Roofing and spoke directly with the owner about the unpaid materials and the lien on McCoy's home. Although the owner declined to comment on camera, citing legal reasons, the conversation prompted immediate action. Within an hour, Hussey returned to McCoy's home with a final waiver of lien, signed by Gulfeagle Supply and notarized, officially removing the lien from his property. McCoy was stunned by the swift resolution. "Oh my God, how did you do that? Are you serious?" he asked.
The breakthrough also led to a commitment from the contractor to complete the unfinished work. About an hour after receiving the lien waiver, McCoy sent WPTV a photo showing crews back on his roof finishing the job. McCoy expressed his relief and gratitude, saying the lien and incomplete repairs had caused him immense stress. "I've been going through hell," he said. "You just don't know how much of a burden this was off of me." After months of frustration and unanswered messages, the intervention finally provided McCoy with the resolution he had been seeking.