Port Charlotte couple claims builder left dream home unfinished, in debt

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — A Port Charlotte couple claims their builder turned their dream home into a years-long nightmare, leaving them with liens, lawsuits and a house that still isn't finished.

Rob and Bernadette Luhmann moved to Port Charlotte to retire and build their dream home together. WINK News anchor Liz Biro first met the couple at WINK Listens.

"That was what we were thinking. Let's come over here, quiet things down and just relax and spend time together," Robert said.

But that dream didn't last long.

"For the last three years? A nightmare," Bernadette said.

They say it started with First Choice Home Builders, LLC and Jeffrey Burch.

"We were promised 12 to 18 months… we took over at 36 months," Robert said.

Standing in front of an island covered in receipts, the Luhmanns showed what they paid according to their contract. But they say Burch never passed that money onto the subcontractors.

"He indicated he had a cash flow problem," Robert said.

One by one, they say, the subs came knocking.

"They came to our front door… the cleaning people, the gutter people, the plumbers, the electrician," Bernadette said.

They were asking for money.

"We paid almost $19,000 so far in liens… and there's still about $20,000 outstanding," Bernadette said.

The issues didn't stop there. They told WINK News about roof problems, driveway disputes, hurricane-rated doors they say were never properly secured, and cabinets still not right.

"The house is unfinished now because we don't have the money to finish it," Bernadette said.

The couple tried to reach Burch without success. After several days of calls and emails, Burch sent WINK News a statement: "The Luhmanns moved into their home almost a year ago. I personally resigned from First Choice and pulled my license almost a year ago for many reasons."

When WINK News dug into state records under Jeffrey Todd Burch, three contracting licenses were found—one inactive, but two active under another company, High Mark Builders.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office confirms it has an open investigation into Burch and First Choice related to the Luhmann's build. They aren't the only ones who have had problems with him. Nearly a dozen people shared their concerns with WINK News about First Choice in a 2023 investigation.

"This was it. This was a life's work… now we can enjoy a little—and to have somebody take that out from underneath you… it's disheartening," Robert said.

Now their biggest hope is making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to another family. WINK News posed questions to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation last week and has not received a response.