>> we are in a position now being virtually on the edge of financial ruin. for example, i've lost my i.r.a. we had to borrow against life insurance policies. we had to cash in one-time irreplaceable investments. we had to run up credit cards. >> with no financial resources and nowhere to turn, the middle-aged couple has taken to trying to make the repairs themselves. >> we used to enjoy going to theater or opera. forget anything like that. forget it. it's just work, work, work, work, work. >> for two years this mild-mannered homemaker has taken to city hall, protesting and warning other homeowners of the pitfalls of home repair. >> ma'am, would you like a pamphlet? >> the biggest shock, they say, is not that dick birgh was a bad contractor. it was learning that this man, their trusted real estate agent, paul stickney, was a corporate officer in contractor dick birgh's company, hih. >> we found out that paul stickney is actually the vice