Get the contract in writing, and make sure there is a clause in there
where he pays you if the job is not completed in full in X number of
days, for every day after X days that the job is still not finished.

And not the company owing you, but the contractor personally.


I just want to be clear on this. Your saying that this is std
business practice for
contractors in your area? Where is that? I have to agree with bam,
here in NJ
the contractor would just laugh at you and drive away.