Contractor No Work - What Would You Do?

[Chris S.]

I was working w/ a general-ish contractor, but paying for the subs myself.  He hired a guy he knew for the electric and signed a contract with him, then gave him one of our checks for $1000 as a down-payment.  He didn't get the permit to go through for a while, we ended up cutting ties with that general contractor and the electrician still has our money and did not do any work.  I called 5 days ago with no return call.  He is licensed and has something to lose.

What would be your next steps of action?  Small claims court, collection agency, lawyer note, etc.

Thanks for any help you can give!

[John Hamilton]

@Chris S.Cancel the check if you can. The best way to avoid that, if they haven't cashed it, yet. Otherwise, contact them. If they don't respond, mail a certified letter explaining the situation and give an option. Either return the check or bid on the job and use the $1,000 and deposit for he work to be rendered.

If that still doesn't work, you can go to state board and electrician's union or lobby to fight. Maybe even a lawyer will help. But all that is worth time and money.