Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

my contractor took my money and wont finish the job. He hasent paid subcontractors either.?

I have receipts for every payment I made and detailed invoices from him for what the payments were supposed to go towards. The little work that he did do just failed the building code inspections so now if I hire another contractor they will have to start over completely. I now have a $50K loan that I have to repay and nothing to show for it. I know this is usually a civil matter, but he's done this to several other families so at what point does this become a criminal offense? He's no better than a burgler or bank robber. He's stealing money intentionally and getting by with it. Can someone help?

Public Comments

1. First check with the BBB in your area. Also you need to file a police report with your local department and start the legal process.
2. You need to involve the police. They in turn need to contact the D.A. Don't delay he may skip town soon.
3. This is the reason you check out a contractor before you hire them. This is also the reason you split the money into payments - 25% to begin, 25% halfway, and 50% when done. That way you limit your loss if the contractor doesn't do the work. If the contractor has done this to more than one person, it may very well be a criminal matter. Not sure if you'll be able to get your money back but you can sue him for the money. You also want to make sure that the contractor is responsible for paying the subcontractors and that they can't place a lien on your home forcing you to pay them. This is a common scam - the contractor gets the money for the subs but never pays them and them the subs file a lien against the homeowner to get their pay. Homeowner ends up paying twice.
4. A dishonest contractor? Say it ain't so. I'm sorry to say there is almost no remedy for your unfortunate situation. Even if you sue him and get a judgement, collecting is another matter altogether. He is obviously a scam artist and you will undoubtedly find that he will have cloaked himself in an insolvent corporation. You're right. He is no better than a bank robber or burgalar. In fact, he worse. He lied to your face. A bank robber says exactly what he's there for..to steal. I wish you the best of luck. I know the feeling. Maybe you can get help from the city or state attorney's office where you live. If there is a pattern of doing this to people he is an out and out criminal, not just a contractor that has hit hard times. Fraud is a criminal matter.