These situations are rarely completely one sided. I would compile a list of
all the failings of the contractor, have a competent attorney send him the
list in a letter seeking a fair settlement, and hope one can be reached and
you get something back. The alternative is to go to court, which at best
takes the money from the contractor and gives it to your attorney.



wrote in message
...
OK, so, some of you may have seen my earlier post entitled "I want OUT
with my builder", where I explained that my home improvement job went
awry due to the builder's incompetence and poor service level.

Anyhow, I've had no luck "playing it nice" with the builder in trying
to get back the up-front money I gave him before I had to fire him.
So, I'm ready to get stern with him.

I have some friends in the industry (building/demo, etc.), and they
advised that I mention the following things to the builder as
"consequences" for him not refunding the money he owes me:

1) File a complaint with the Board of Registration of Contractors in
my state (try to get his license revoked)
2) File a consumer protection complaint with the Attorney General
3) Give an account of my ordeal to the local inspector (that he has
to work with all the time)
4) Write negative reviews about him on online message boards, such as
Angie's List
5) File an OSHA complaint that his workmen weren't wearing goggles/
respirators, etc. when they were performing demo involving potentially
hazardous materials
6) File a complaint with the local Better Business Bureau
7) Have an attorney draft a "legal letter" alleging breach of
contract and fraud
7) File a civil lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud
8) File for mediation (as has been stipulated to in the contract)

So, which of the above do you think are valid, and are there any other
avenues I can pursue? I would prefer to have to actually **do** none
of the above, but I will definitely go all the way if I have to. I'm
hoping that just the mention of certain things will help to get at
least a partial refund.

Thanks again!