What action should I take against bogus design consultant?

Question by sissytwo: What action should I take against bogus design consultant?

I was contacted by a man who obtained my phone # from a Home Remodeling Show about some windows. He doesn’t have a license, but business cards printed “Design Consultant” saying he does windows & more. He came to my house measured for windows, got paid 1/2 the money & also constracted w/me to do a bathroom. He hires people rather than do the work himself. There were & are still problems w/the bathroom job, but as that was being done he said he didn’t have enough money to finish the jobs & asked me to pay him the remaining money. Well STUPID me, I did!! Now I have an unfinished bathroom & no windows. He met w/the death of his wife & I have tried to wait for him to come through. This all began in late July/Aug. & now it’s April & he never mentions finishing the bathroom, & goes for weeks w/out any mention of the window installation. I don’t know what I can do if anything. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Best answer:

Answer by Joe M
It sounds like you pretty well got screwed.

There is nothing wrong with him contracting out the work to other (hopefully qualified) people.

However if you paid him half up front – and he is jerking you around, I would first report him to the better business bureau, and secondly demand that he refunds the money you have given him for work that was not done. If he refuses, you may need to take him to court (depending on the amount involved you might not be able to do small claims court – and you may want to lawyer up).

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