All Forum Posts by: Joe A.

First, you learned an important lesson -- don't pay ahead of work completed.  If you weren't paid beyond the work he's completed, you could just fire him and move on.  'Nuf said about that...

I would start by checking out your contractor licensing department with your state -- ask them how they recommend you proceed, as they may have a recovery fund or something similar, but it may require you to go through a specific process.  Once you go that route, the next step would be to notify the contractor that he has X days (whatever you think is reasonable) to finish the project or you will file a lawsuit.  Assuming he doesn't response/finish, file a small claims suit (assuming the amount he's been overpaid is small enough that small claims will cover it).  If the amount is more than small claims limits, consult an attorney (which may not be a bad idea in any case if you can afford it).

All that said, I'm not an attorney and I don't know how things work in your state...