Elevation company sues homeowner over contract after AG investigated

GRETNA –  A Kenner-based home elevation company is suing a woman it claims entered into an grant-funded agreement to raise her home, but then would not let them commence work on the project.

Foundation, Elevation & Repair LLC filed suit against Doris Collins in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 11. The company claims it was contracted by Collins through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to elevate her home but when it appeared at Collins' home to do the elevation she would not allow them on the property to do the work.

The plaintiff claims that the defendant requested to switch the grant to another company, but under rules provided by the program this was not possible until the defendant was paid for costs already incurred. Foundation, Elevation & Repair asserts that Collins would not pay the costs already incurred and thus the grant contract could not be transferred, which later led to an investigation by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office that cost it  legal fees and time.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract.

The plaintiff seeks to have the court rule the plaintiff be required to pay the money required to transfer the contract, find the plaintiff defaulted on a promissory note and that all attorney's fees should be paid by the plaintiff.

Foundation, Elevation & Repair LLC is represented by attorney William R. Penton III of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Henry G. Sullivan Jr.

Case no. 721-879.