'There was zero work. Zero' | Families claim Virginia homebuilder took money but never finished their houses; builder arrested Thursday
Craig Tadlock with T&S Homebuilders is being investigated after several families filed complaints alleging he committed fraud in their home construction projects.
Fairfax County Police confirmed to WUSA9, Craig Tadlock with T&S Homebuilders was arrested Thursday morning after several Northern Virginia families came forward alleging the homebuilder took their money and failed to successfully build their new homes, claims which the builder denies.
Investigators told WUSA9 Thursday, Tadlock turned himself into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He faces several criminal charges including obtaining money by false pretense more than $200 and advance pay and larceny. These are charges related to alleged construction fraud.
More than six families say they lost tens of thousands of dollars because of ongoing delays, mistakes, and issues with Craig Tadlock and T&S Homebuilders, LLC. The company is owned by Craig's son, Justin Tadlock.
“If I don't get another dime and this doesn't happen to another person, that’s totally fine,” said James Ferrell, who hired T&S Homebuilders to build a new house for his family.
James Ferrell and his wife, Jenna, are both active-duty military attorneys who were planning a move to Northern Virginia from Denver, Colorado in 2021. The two were relocating to the Washington region to fulfill military obligations and needed to be in place by summer 2022. They hired T&S Homebuilders, LLC in November 2021, records show.
According to a contract provided to WUSA9, the construction costs totaled $744,650. Once the building permits were approved, it would take an estimated 24 weeks to complete the house. The new home would provide the Ferrells with enough room for their growing family and extended family members too.
But the Ferrells said Craig Tadlock didn’t apply for building permits until 15 weeks after they signed their contract; complicating their move.
“It was literally just a pile of dirt,” described Jenna Ferrell when she checked on the progress of construction in July 2022.
She expected the house would be further along.
“I kind of got a bad feeling at that point,” she said.
Records from Fairfax County show a building permit wasn't issued until June 23, 2022. For James and Jenna Ferrell, it meant the earliest they could move into their new house would be December. The couple rented an apartment as the delays dragged on.
During the construction process, the couple said they were met with more obstacles. For instance, the builder added space that was not in the original design or the plans submitted to Fairfax County for approval. The two also said change orders for materials didn’t add up. The Ferrells recounted an exchange with Craig Tadlock.
“[Craig] would come and ask for kitchen cabinets. We'd say, "Hey [Craig], our contract has an allowance for kitchen cabinets. We want the ones that fit within the allowance. [Craig] said, "Well, I'm only going to put these in. I'm not going to put any other ones in and these are $10,000. And [Craig] said, well these are ones I’m going to put it and if you don’t give me the $10,000, I’m not moving forward."
Exhausted, the Ferrells sent T&S and Craig Tadlock a termination letter citing fraud and breach of contract. They ended their relationship with Craig Tadlock and T&S Homebuilders, LLC. They would later learn, that they were not the only family with this story.
Delays and Consequences
Another Northern Virginia couple, a man and his wife, shared their experience with Craig Tadlock and T&S Homebuilders, LLC. They asked that we not use their name or release any identifying information about their house for fear of retaliation. The couple said they hired T&S Homebuilders in May 2021 to build their million-dollar dream home. But, like the Ferrells, they said they were met with building delays, mistakes, and other issues.
During construction, the couple says contractors left the basement area exposed to weather elements resulting in water damage and mold, which were also confirmed by third-party test results.
The couple planned to move into their house by December but did not because of ongoing delays.
“Thanksgiving came and went, and the house was not even framed,” the woman said.
The couple says the December move-in date was necessary because of an ailing relative whom they planned to care for. That relative would pass away before getting to see the home finished.
“It was heartbreaking that he wasn't going to see this project come to the end,” she added.
The couple said they fired T&S and hired another contractor to finish the house for an additional $300,000 dollars on top of what was already spent.
Missing Dream Home
“This has been very difficult. I've done a lot of praying for me,” said Alan Hill.
Hill and his wife, Joy Dito, hired T&S homebuilders in July 2022. They contracted the company to build a new house for their family in Fairfax County. They canceled their contract with T&S 37 weeks after they said the builder failed to obtain building permits.
“There was zero work. Zero,” said Hill.
The couple told WUSA9 they are out $400,000 they can’t get back.
“Look inside yourself. Look in your gut. Do you really want to be associated with defrauding people and taking their money?” questioned Dito.
The Fairfax County Police Department has been investigating the claims against Tadlock for several weeks.
“These people are lying and conniving people,” said Craig Tadlock, when WUSA9 contacted him by phone.
When asked if all of the homeowners who came forward with allegations were not telling the truth, Craig said, “I'm telling you there's some in the bunch.”
“These same homeowners that are complaining to you were absentees,” Tadlock added.
Tadlock added that Fairfax County played a role in the delays—suggesting the county was slow to process and approve applications.
Craig added that if families had issues, the contract mandates those issues be resolved in mediation.
“All disputes will use the arbitration process,” states a clause in the construction contract signed by the families.
To date, WUSA9 is aware of one family navigating the mediation process. WUSA9 followed up with attorneys for Craig Tadlock outlining the homeowners’ allegations used in this report. The lawyers said they would follow up after gathering more information. We followed up several times but attorneys for Tadlock have not responded.
For the Ferrells and the other families involved, they’re focused on the future.
After two years, Jenna, James, and their children were able to move into their new house in August thanks to a new contractor and another $300,000 dollars.
“Our trust has been degraded by this experience. That is the reality,” said Jenna.