Legal Action Against Contractor Help

[Mike Mefferd]

I am looking for some advice on how to handle a difficult situation with a contractor. Unfortunately I made all the mistakes of not having a new contractor sign a detailed contract and we gave him draws before verifying work was actually completed. This contractor had both of his employees who were handling the work quit, and after 7 weeks of trying to renovate 2 units, we made the decision to part ways and refund the money he was overpaid for work not completed. 

The contractor has now gone dark while still owing roughly $10,000 per my calculations. He did provide a Scope off Work at the beginning of the project, but he never adjusted any of it for change orders such as substitution vinyl plank for carpet. We asked repeatedly for detailed invoices and still have not received them to determine how he came up with his costs above and beyond his original estimate. I have statements from his old contractors  telling how much the contractor still owes us, but didn’t know if that was enough to pursue legal action. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

I fully accept this if there is nothing I can do because I didn’t take the proper action to protect myself, but I hate letting a contractor get away with something like this.