Hey everyone! I'm in central Maine and I'm feeling really lost right now. I hired a contractor for my remodel project and he just vanished with my $20,000 down payment. I've already reached out to the Attorney General and the police, and I'm waiting to hear back from an attorney. This was supposed to be the start of a new chapter for me, and I'm devastated. Any advice on what steps I should take next?
3 Answers
Definitely try to address this in person! Head straight to the police station and insist on filing a report. If the contractor was licensed or bonded, there may be additional options for you. Check your state's contractor license database, and consider reaching out to your homeowners insurance for advice if fraud is suspected.
Your best bet is to work with an attorney. Firstly, did you sign a contract? If so, the situation might fall under civil law rather than criminal, depending on the details. Walking into your local police station to file a report might also help, especially if you can show documentation of your payments and any agreements you had with him. Good luck!
Have you thought about going public? Share your experience on your local Facebook page or community groups. You might find others who have had similar issues with this contractor, and you could join forces. Sometimes a local newspaper or TV station will jump on stories like yours, which can really help apply pressure!