General Contractor Disappeared with My Money... Next Steps?

[Mark J.]

My GC disappeared two weeks ago. He'd been working daily on my first investment property for the last 3 1/2 months here in Tampa, FL and we'd built a very good relationship. Or so I thought. 

For the time being, I'll skip the gritty details, but I'd estimate he owes me roughly $17K in materials & work.

What are your recommendations for next steps? Is it necessary to file a police report? I was told by the police non-emergency number that this is a "civil, not criminal" issue. Obviously, I'll need a lawyer and file a claim of some sort...  could someone give me a rough outline of the next few months?

Ugh. What a mess.

Thanks...

[Bob B.]

Is he a licensed contractor?  If so you should contact the local license authority.

Do you have his home address?  

Do you have proof that would hold up in court that he has "run off" with your money?  

Did you have a contract?

Do you know any other jobs he's working on?

Too late now, but how in the world did you allow him to get that far ahead?

Do you have any very large biker friends that might just want to "talk to him"?