Failure to build safe room leads to suit by homeowner

GALVESTON � Friendswood resident Chris Thibodeaux alleges RhinoVault Safe Structures is withholding his refund, prompting him to file suit.

RhinoVault and its representatives, Robby and Sharon Godwin, allegedly owe Thibodeaux $9,100 which the plaintiff put down as a deposit for a safe room that was to be constructed at his home, a lawsuit filed July 7 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 3.

According to court papers, the project fell through.

The suit shows Thibodeaux contacted RhinoVault last October and was given a quote in the amount of $18,150.

Sharon Godwin emailed Thibodeaux telling him that Robby Godwin, the owner of the business, would contact him as soon as he received a $9,100 deposit.

Thibodeaux paid the deposit with a cashier's check and received confirmation of the transaction earlier this year.

He claims the defendants, however, never followed up on the job.

"Finally, after many weeks of frustration, the plaintiff emailed Ms. Godwin and advised her that a decision had been made not to build a safe room and that the Thibodeauxs were going to sell her home," the suit says.

Thibodeaux claims he requested the deposit back, to no avail.

Cotton Farrell PC is representing Thibodeaux, and Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Christopher Dupuy is presiding over the case.

Cause No. 65,592