Contractor found guilty of misconduct after owner says studio build left unfinished, lien unresolved

The Walton County Builders Board found contractor Justin Hammond guilty of mismanagement Wednesday in a complaint from property owners Tomer and Cathy Valerio over an unfinished studio apartment and an unresolved lien.

The Valerios said they contracted with Hammond on Oct. 26, 2023, for an $86,650 build and paid roughly $77,990 in three draws. Cathy Valerio, the complainant, told the board the only inspection on the job was a plumbing rough on July 11, 2024, and that work stopped thereafter. "We're just tired of waiting," she said during testimony. "We paid for the bill to be done, and we're still waiting."

The board’s nut graf: the Builders Board concluded that Hammond’s conduct met the ordinance standard for mismanagement that caused financial harm (Count 1). The board declined to find him guilty of abandonment (Count 2) or fraud/deceit (Count 3) after hearing testimony and documentary evidence.

In its discussion, the board reviewed documentary evidence submitted as the case packet, including canceled checks, a stop-work order posted on the property in February 2025 and a notice from a concrete supplier indicating unpaid charges. The Valerios testified a concrete company sent a notice in late summer 2024 after a July concrete pour and that they had not received lien releases when they paid Hammond. "He hasn't paid for the concrete," Cathy Valerio said. Contractor Justin Hammond acknowledged the concrete had not been paid and told the board the missed payment was an oversight; he said he had reached out to the concrete supplier to resolve it and that scheduling, subcontractor no-shows and a drawn-out materials/draw schedule contributed to delays.

Board members pressed both sides on inspection history, permitting and the presence or absence of signed change orders. The board record shows the permit was pulled in mid‑2024 and the Valerios provided text messages and photos they described as a punch-list of unfinished items (garage doors, soffit, lighting, spigots, a hand-wash station and interior fixtures).

Formal action and penalties: the board voted to find Hammond guilty of Count 1 (mismanagement causing financial harm) and not guilty of Counts 2 and 3. For penalty the board approved a suspended $1,500 fine: the fine will be postponed provided Hammond completes the outstanding work to the owner’s satisfaction within 90 days of the meeting. The board also placed Hammond on probation for one year and required notification to county staff when the work is completed. The board directed staff to draft a written order reflecting these findings and deadlines.

Ending: The board advised the parties it will enter a formal written order documenting the findings, the suspended fine and the 90‑day completion condition. The Valerios and Hammond were told how to submit documentation of completion to county staff for the probationary period to be monitored.