A 79-year-old California woman has been left more than $80,000 out of pocket after a solar panel company allegedly abandoned an unfinished installation job on her home, leaving her roof exposed and her property water-damaged. Lorraine Hammer, a resident of Ontario, California, had hoped the solar panels would slash her soaring energy bills, but instead she has been left with a costly nightmare and a leaking roof.
The Promising Start That Turned Sour
Hammer signed a contract with My Smart House, LLC in September 2025 after a lengthy meeting with a company representative who spent four hours reviewing her electricity usage and bills. "He was really nice. He went through all my electric bills, figured how many pallets we need, and how much electricity we were using—they seemed very legitimate," Hammer told local media. The project included not only solar panels but also a battery backup system, representing a significant investment for the senior.
A Swift Disappearance After Payment
Just one week after her lender paid the company $83,200 for the job, workers abruptly walked away, leaving their materials behind. "They looked like they had a lot of people, they looked like they knew what they were doing," Hammer recalled. The situation quickly deteriorated when heavy rainfall seeped into her home through the unfinished roof, where tiles had been removed and never replaced. "My roof was open. The water was leaking into the light fixture in the bathroom, all the way under the floor," she stated.
Company Communications and Excuses
Hammer said she has only heard from My Smart House, LLC once since the incident, via an email in December. The company claimed staffing shortages were delaying multiple projects and assured her they had not forgotten about her job, promising to prioritize pending work in the coming weeks. That correspondence was approximately four months ago. The email also requested that communication remain "professional and respectful," warning that hostility would slow resolution.
Regulatory Failures and License Suspension
Further investigation revealed that the company never filed for the necessary building permits, according to San Bernardino County officials. While Hammer had checked that My Smart House, LLC held an active license with the Contractors State Licensing Board at the time, that license has since been suspended. Hammer admitted she did not check references for the company, a decision she now deeply regrets.
Personal Circumstances and a Glimmer of Hope
Hammer explained that when she agreed to the work, she was overwhelmed caring for her 103-year-old mother, who passed away a few months ago. Recently, another solar company unexpectedly visited her home to assess the damage, offering a sliver of hope for a resolution. However, the financial and emotional toll remains substantial.
A Warning to Other Homeowners
Hammer has issued a stern warning to other homeowners considering similar projects. "Beware. Check references. And don't sign anything the first time," she advised. Her experience underscores the risks of contractor fraud and the importance of thorough vetting before committing to major home improvements.
Broader Context of Contractor Scandals
This case is not isolated. Recently, a Colorado family reported being left virtually homeless after a contractor allegedly gutted their home and vanished with $219,000, forcing them to live in a freezing trailer without running water. These incidents highlight a growing trend of construction and renovation scams exploiting homeowners' trust and investments.
The Daily Mail contacted My Smart House, LLC for comment, but no response has been reported. As Hammer navigates the aftermath, her story serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities consumers face in the renewable energy and home renovation sectors.
