How do I recover money paid to a contractor who failed to provide services?
I hired a contractor to complete a basement apartment for my mother inlaw. I paid a deposit of $5000 and three more payments of approx. $18000 and the work was never completed. The contractor just did not show up or call or email. After several days he emailed and said he would be back to finish and even met with me to make a plan to finish but failed to live up to the plan. The contractor agreed to reduce the bill for all the work I had completed myself but gave no refund and did not complete the work. His excuse was his wife left him and he lost his house. He is now trying to sell it privately and wants a quick closing to leave town.