paid for work in advance that was never done

What should I do? My contractor can’t be found and I paid for work in advance that was never done. Can I take him to small claims court or sue him? How would I even do that? Is there a time limitation on when you can sue a contractor?

bklyn7

in Renovation 12 years ago

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greenpointjoint | 12 years ago

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how on earth do other trades have so much time on their hands to read and respond on brownstoner so much? maybe these are the ‘missing’ contractors?

jeanmarine2 | 12 years ago

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it’s so easy to say “never do that” but human nature being what it is, a good salesperson contractor and a well intentioned but slightly novice homeowner can end up with the contractor paid beyond what they have done. I’ve been in that situation the past couple of weeks and it just happened, I was told something would be ordered that week, and to give the deposit, and it didn’t get ordered for another week and the contractor wasn’t responsive for a day or so, and I got scared he was going to walk. there’s a fine line between the contractor wanting to get paid/get their good faith deposit, and the homeowner not wanting to get taken – and the contractor wanting payment before proceeding in good faith. sometimes people get burned in both directions. I feel like I’m on a bit of a tightrope and will stay that way until my job’s done. And I’m going to try to hire a time/materials guy I trust from now on, and only contractors that I really really trust (often from multiple referrals) – it’s too stressful otherwise.

bklyn7 | 12 years ago

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Over $5,000 in change order deposits. I think for change orders the owner must pay the deposit up front.

slopefarm | 12 years ago

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“paid for work in advance that was never done” I guess I’ll be the scold that says this, but never, never do this (unless, of course, we’re talking about a small deposit to start on a big contract).

thetinkerswagon | 12 years ago

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Right, I overlooked that the contractor can’t be found. I bet there is a point where something like this crosses a line from being a civil matter to a criminal one. I don’t know where the line is but I am sure intent has to do with it. If he gave you a contract, it must have his office address on it. I would start by sending him a letter and contacting the DCA. Again, maybe something happen to the guy. DIBS, they still have to rattle this guy a bit. Depending on how easy it is to rattle him, maybe they can rattle him a lot at little cost to themselves. it is wrong for any of us to walk away from something like this just for the fact that people should be expected to act somewhat responsible and they should feel some wrath for not doing so. I am on the business side of this but that does not mean I want a customer or supplier doing this to me. Steve

dylan621 | 12 years ago

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You can take him to small claims court and file a complaint with the DCA. File the complaint with the DCA first. If it’s a licensed contractor, they pay into a fund so that if you have a legitimate claim and the contractor can’t be found you can draw from the fund. In small claims court, if you get a judgment against him you’re going to have to collect it yourself which is sort of meaningless if you can’t find him. Good luck!

daveinbedstuy | 12 years ago

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How much? Is it worth it to pursue? Lesson here for others to learn.

greenmountain | 12 years ago

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If, as the OP says, their contractor “can’t be found,” the DCA won’t be much help, but the OP should ask the DCA for help. If the contractor is licensed, the DCA has their address, business and personal id’s fingerprints, photograph, etc. The DCA says about 1,400 Home Improvement Contractors are licensed, including me. It doesn’t say how many HIC’s are not licensed or how many contractors do residential work overall in NYC. Can anybody here provide informed numbers? How many HIC’s with or without DCA licenses are there? How many workers work for these contractors? According the Anthony Gorman, auditor at the NYS Dept of Labor: “Everybody in your industry is cheating.” How many is “everybody”? Why do home owners keep hiring unlicensed contractors, even though the DCA, offers strong consumer protections?

thetinkerswagon | 12 years ago

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Call the Dept of Consumer Affairs first. they will definitely go after him but I am not sure how big their teeth are. If there is anyway to show that he signed the contract knowing that he would not do the job, the issue may be a bit more serious (fraud) but for now you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he is in a hospital bed someplace. Do you know here he lives? If this were me, I would pay him a visit and be sure he is walking and talking and proceed from there. Also, if he is in fact licensed, he will have a completion bond with the DCA. I have read on here that it is not worth the trouble, but that is a decision you will have to make. Call the DCA. Steve

bklyn7 | 12 years ago

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Just want to add he is licensed and signed a contact with us