UPDATE 12/15/10 @ 4 p.m.
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- One man made a promise to several families to make their home improvements a reality. But instead of making things better he left with their money, left their homes in shambles and left them in shock.

Zachary Dye was a former employee of Direct Buy but admitted to continuing to make house calls. On Wednesday he learned he will be paying the price.

Dye was sentenced to two years in jail rather than prison so he can work to repay the families the $68,000 they gave him.

"That was our inheritance," Beverly Kinsolving of St. Albans told the court. She gave Dye $27,000 for kitchen renovations.

She and the other four families are a lot alike, they worked hard and saved up their money for the improvements to their home.

"We've suffered embarrassment, we've suffered financially, we have no kitchen in our house," Terry Patrick who lost $10,000 says. "I had to go take money from my sons college fund to put our kitchen back together."

The families all say they trusted Dye because he had the credentials and posed as a Direct Buy contractor.

"I have sickness everyday over it," an emotional Dye told Judge Carrie Webster.

The families say they were left with gutted kitchens and very little else.

"We spent last Christmas, Thanksgiving, everything, son's graduation party without a kitchen in our home," Patrick says.

Dye says the money went to feed his gambling addiction.

"I really felt I could do what I said I was going to do," Dye says. "But I did not get through with it because of my gambling problem."

The families say they had to hire another contractor to fix their kitchens so essentially they paid for the work twice.

Zachary Dye was sentenced to two years in jail on Wednesday.

Back in October, he pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent schemes.

Investigators say Dye told the families that he was an employee of Direct Buy and Birch Cabinets, but he never did the work they paid for.

He will serve on a work release program while in jail, the money he makes will go toward paying back the families.

During a hearing, Zachary Dye pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent schemes.

According to court records, four families were involved in the crime during July 2009-October 2009. Dye claimed he was with DirectBuy and Birch Cabinets.

A family from St. Albans says they handed more than $28,000 to Dye for remodeling that was never done.

Dye will be sentenced on December 15.

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Dye is charged with a fraudulent schemes charge after police say he defrauded a couple in St. Albans of nearly $28,000 from July 2009 to March 2010.

His case will now be sent to the grand jury.

Meanwhile, two other victims say this is the second time Dye has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. They came to the courthouse Friday after learning what happened to them, was happening in other parts of the county.

The neighbors from Glasgow say that Dye took thousands of dollars from them and only delivered empty promises.

Police in Glasgow say Dye is facing two charges of fraudulent schemes and petit larceny in connection to those families' cases.

According to a news release, Zachary Dye, 53, of Boomer, defrauded a couple in St. Albans of nearly $28,000 from July 2009 to March 2010. The cash was supposed to go towards remodeling their home.

Police say the couple contacted Direct Buy in 2009 to have remodeling done to their home. The company sent Dye to the home to get an estimate.

At some point, Dye stopped working for Direct Buy, but police say he continued to take money from the couple.

According to a news release, the situation unraveled when the couple contacted Direct Buy and discovered Dye was no longer an employee at the business.

Dye was arrested and charged last week.

The Kanawha County Sheriff's Department is also investigating Dye on similar charges totaling over $18,000.

Dye is expected to be in court Friday at 1:30 p.m. for his preliminary hearing.

CONSUMER TIPS IN DEALING WITH CONTRACTORS
Here are some common complaints against home improvement contractors and their performance.

*Contractors who disappear after receiving a deposit from a homeowner for repair work.

*Poor quality work

*Overpriced repairs

*Fraudulent misrepresentations to induce the sale

*Contractors who start but do not complete a job.

*An unlicensed and/or unregistered contractor.

Now that you know some of the more common complaints against contractors, here are some tips to help you avoid them.

TIPS BEFORE HIRING A CONTRACTOR
*Avoid door-to-door work crews, who often pose as contractors from another job with leftover materials, such as asphalt or roofing supplies.

*Avoid a contractor that can only be reached by leaving a message on an answering machine or cell phone.

*Avoid a contractor that drives an unmarked van or has out-of-state plates on his vehicles.

*Avoid a contractor that pressures you for an immediate decision.

*Avoid a contractor that offers you a discount for finding him other customers.

*Avoid a contractor that has workers or suppliers who tell you they have had trouble getting paid.

*Avoid contractors who tell you you have won a prize, but in order to get your prize you have to buy a home improvement product or service.

*Avoid contractors who are offering free inspections.

*Avoid a contractor that quotes a price that is too cheap.

*Do not take the contractor's word that he has a valid contractor's license. Rather, check with the contractor's licensing board to determine whether the contractor has a valid contractor's license. The contractor's licensing board telephone number is 304-558-7890 or toll free 1-877-558-5134.

*Proof of insurance. Make sure the contractor carries general liability insurance and worker's compensation.

*Check with your local magistrate court to see if there have been lawsuits against the contractor.

*Ask the contractor for, and check at least three references.

*Whenever possible, inspect the contractor's work.

*Verify the contractor's credentials. ( e.g training and experience).

*Pay by check or credit card. If possible, avoid on the spot cash payments.

*Price shop

*If a repair contractor offers a “free inspection”, follow him as he inspects your property and get a second opinion before signing a contract.

*Call Attorney General McGraw's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808 to see if we have any complaints on that contractor.

Just because you have investigated the contractor and believe him or her to be reputable doesn't mean that your work is finished . Here are some tips to follow before you sign a contract.

TIPS BEFORE SIGNING A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT

*Get a number of written estimates. Make sure the estimates contain a complete description of all work to be done, required materials, and a cost itemization.

*Make sure that you get a written contract. Under West Virginia law, a contractor is required to provide you with a written contract.

*Do not sign a contract until you have read and understood it. Make sure that the contract contains every promise made by the contractor and all material, products and performance warranties.

*If the contract includes financing, contact a lawyer to review the contract before you sign it.

*If an up front deposit is required, make sure the contract says exactly where the deposit will be held, how you can get a refund, and how the deposit will be spent.

*Never pay the full price up front and make sure the contract spells out the payment schedule.

*Never sign over your insurance check to a contractor.

*Check the progress of the work and do not make the final payment until you are satisfied with the work and the contractor has furnished proof that all subcontractors and construction liens have been paid.

*Be sure that the contractor agrees in writing that all work will conform to city, county and state building codes, fire and safety regulations, and zoning ordinances (if any).

*Be sure that the contractor agrees to do all necessary clean up when the job is done.