Dave and Jenny Marrs, a couple hailing from Northwest Arkansas renowned for their captivating home renovation shows, have found themselves entangled in a legal dispute as an unsatisfied client pursues legal action against them.
The Marrs duo, who delight audiences with their captivating transformations on HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous” and “Rock the Block,” are facing a lawsuit due to allegations raised by discontented clients. The legal proceedings encompass both Marrs Construction and Jupiter Rentals, entities owned by the couple, that have been named as defendants in the case.
Dave and Jenny Marrs Lawsuit
The plaintiffs behind the lawsuit, Matthew and Sarah McGrath, assert that they entered into a contractual agreement with the aforementioned defendants, a contract that was subsequently breached. According to the legal document filed on February 7th, the defendants had originally committed to enhancing the McGraths’ property before the plaintiffs’ property purchase. This commitment was formally amended through an addendum to the contract on June 16, 2022, outlining additional work to be undertaken.
The crux of the contract stipulated that the plaintiffs were entitled to conduct an inspection before the finalization of the deal. Acting in line with this provision, the plaintiffs conducted an inspection on July 15, 2022, and subsequently submitted a comprehensive list of repairs to Jupiter Rentals.
The company, in response, agreed to fulfill various performance-related tasks within the home after the plaintiffs’ property acquisition. These tasks were slated for completion within a 30-day timeframe, with the exception of the replacement window installation, a task designated for completion within 90 days from the closing date.
Despite the contract’s implication that construction had concluded at the time of its execution, the plaintiffs had specific upgrades in mind that were expected to be executed by Jupiter Rentals, under the guidance of their representative, Dave Marrs. The complaint further highlights the belief that Dave Marrs, in an individual capacity, possessed the authority to oversee and direct the actions of both Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction.
The McGraths say, however, that the companies have not fulfilled their end of the deal.
“As of August 28, 2022, not a single item on the list of repairs had been performed,” the complaint said.
“Since that time, the defendants by and through David Marrs have attempted some of the repairs listed but have failed to fully perform and several of the attempts to repair have caused more damage to the house.”
Subsequent to assuming ownership of the property, the couple unearthed an array of additional flaws in the home’s construction. Opting to pursue clarity, they engaged a structural engineer to conduct a thorough inspection, which revealed a more extensive range of construction deficiencies than initially perceived. The legal complaint asserts that both Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction are culpable of violating warranties and contractual obligations. In light of this, the McGraths seek appropriate compensation and remedies for their grievances. Counter to these allegations, Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction issued responses to the lawsuit, refuting certain claims and asserting that the terms of the contract are self-explanatory.
In their official response, legal representatives for the aforementioned entities acknowledge that Dave Marrs had indeed taken steps to address the specified repair list. However, they note that certain items on this list had not been fully rectified, attributing this to the alleged reluctance of the McGraths in granting access to the companies’ agents or subcontractors for property access.
As of now, legal representatives for Jupiter Rentals, Marrs Construction, and the McGraths have yet to provide commentary in response to inquiries.
A jury trial spanning five days is scheduled to commence on September 23, 2024, at 9 a.m., within the confines of the Benton County Courthouse.
Previous Lawsuit
This is not the first instance in which the Marrs couple has found themselves embroiled in legal proceedings concerning their construction endeavors.
A previous lawsuit emerged in 2021, involving plaintiffs Tyler and Dana Craddock. The Craddocks alleged that Marrs Construction had faltered in fulfilling their home improvement project, leaving it marred by defects.
The legal documentation details that the Marrs duo “failed to maintain an Arkansas Contractor’s License” and that both “Marrs Developing, LLC” and “Marrs Construction, Inc.” neglected to secure the essential construction-related permits mandated by Benton County, Arkansas, for the remodeling work conducted on the home.
However, this particular case took a different turn. In March 2022, the legal proceedings reached a conclusion, with Judge Xollie Duncan issuing an order. The order stated that “The court finds that the plaintiffs have settled their claims and fully released the defendants from any and all claims the plaintiffs may have against them.” As a result, the case was formally dismissed, bringing the matter to a close.