Must I pay Final Pymt to Contractor?

[Chia]

What is the name of your state? California
Homeguru - First I want to apologize - cause everytime I want to ask a question, I forget how to find my original thread/message?
So here is another question. If anyone has had a remodel nightmare - We are in one and cant seem to awake from this hellish nightmare! Can not believe the incompetents of this contractor. Our project was to have completed Feb 2003 - it is now end of July 2003. Due to lack of knowledge, we have just about paid this idiot in full - except for "final payment" upon final inspection to our satisfactory. We are definitely very unsatified with all aspects of work. At end of April, he agreed to reimburse for living expenses thru May. As we have had "issues" he now refused to reimburse additional expenses beyond May. Because he did complete home on said date - can we hold him to agreement to reimburse us until completion date? In middle of May, since we knew completion will not be done at said date - I reaffirm agreement of reimb - and via email - they agreed that they would still pay us until completion date. Now he is backing out on agreement! Can we not make final payment and deduct $?? Please Advise

[HomeGuru]

I brought up your 2 initial threads.