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pardesi75
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What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Virginia
I signed a contract with a handyman I found in the newspaper to do some work around my house (note: the ad listed the work he did, and included plumbing). The total was $625 plus materials. I called him the night before he was going to come and do the work and asked him to bring receipts for any parts which he had to purchase. He said he didn't have any. Then, when he was supposed to show up, he called and said he had a flat tire. Maybe he did. But, he didn't show up the first time he was supposed to come (to give the estimate), and was very late the second time. So, now I didn't believe him. Since it had been 2 days since I signed the contract, I thought I had the right to cancel the contract in 3 days. So, when he finally showed up, I gave him a letter stating I wanted to cancel the contract and asking for my deposit back. He said he would refund my money. Later, I learned I did not have the right to cancel such a contract. It's been about a month and he has not returned the money.
I called the Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulations office and they told me that he needed a tradesmans license for doing plumbing work (which I had in my contract). They did not find a license for him or his company name. They said I could file a complaint and it would start a criminal investigation.
Here are details of the contract: $625 plus materials, 50% paid up-front (yes, I know that was stupid), no license #, no address. The plumbing work listed in the contract was installing a new valve in the shower, new valve for toilet, and replacing a kitchen faucet.
What is the likelihood of me trying to recover my deposit in small claims court? I have hesitated in filing because I am concerned about my mistake of trying to cancel the contract. Also, if he is not licensed to do the work in the state, does that void the contract? Should I send him a certified letter asking for my money back again? I've called him a few times, and he said he mailed the check or he was going to look into it.
I signed a contract with a handyman I found in the newspaper to do some work around my house (note: the ad listed the work he did, and included plumbing). The total was $625 plus materials. I called him the night before he was going to come and do the work and asked him to bring receipts for any parts which he had to purchase. He said he didn't have any. Then, when he was supposed to show up, he called and said he had a flat tire. Maybe he did. But, he didn't show up the first time he was supposed to come (to give the estimate), and was very late the second time. So, now I didn't believe him. Since it had been 2 days since I signed the contract, I thought I had the right to cancel the contract in 3 days. So, when he finally showed up, I gave him a letter stating I wanted to cancel the contract and asking for my deposit back. He said he would refund my money. Later, I learned I did not have the right to cancel such a contract. It's been about a month and he has not returned the money.
I called the Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulations office and they told me that he needed a tradesmans license for doing plumbing work (which I had in my contract). They did not find a license for him or his company name. They said I could file a complaint and it would start a criminal investigation.
Here are details of the contract: $625 plus materials, 50% paid up-front (yes, I know that was stupid), no license #, no address. The plumbing work listed in the contract was installing a new valve in the shower, new valve for toilet, and replacing a kitchen faucet.
What is the likelihood of me trying to recover my deposit in small claims court? I have hesitated in filing because I am concerned about my mistake of trying to cancel the contract. Also, if he is not licensed to do the work in the state, does that void the contract? Should I send him a certified letter asking for my money back again? I've called him a few times, and he said he mailed the check or he was going to look into it.