A Tennessee sheriff, James Lee Berrong, of Blount County, announced that Thaddeus James Foster, 54, a home contractor, was arrested on 12 counts of fraud by a home improvement provider and 12 felony counts of theft.

Foster's company, Foothills Fence Company, was reported in the summer by several victims who had signed a contract with him to install fencing and paid half of the agreed price as a down payment.

The work was never started, or if started, never completed. Foster kept all the downpayments.

Gregory Raucoules "Maryville contractor arrested in fraud case involving a dozen victims" yahoo.com (Sept. 21, 2026).

Commentary

These customers reported the contractor for failing to start or complete a fencing project, but retaining the down payment.

Many disputes can arise between a client and an honest contractor. You should have a signed contract with each customer, even for "small jobs". The contract should specify the scope of work. Describe the specific materials (type, grade) to be used, the dimensions, the style, total linear footage, post spacing and depth, gate count and type, and style of hardware. Include the total cost, the downpayment, the start date, and the anticipated finish date.

Anticipate and address change orders for when a customer comes out and asks that you "go ahead and extend the fence by 30 feet". Now the cost and completion date have changed. This needs to be the subject of a written change order, signed by the customer. State in the contract, and in the change order, that no original work will proceed until the change order is signed, and that no verbal amendments are allowed to any contract or change order.

Address also what you are not going to do, such as grading the ground or hauling away debris. Don't use a term like "miscellaneous".