Sims Construction

Initially started fine. We reviewed and signed a work agreement. Contractor appeared to be knowledgeable. Contractor hired a sub for labor who was a friend. This arrangement worked into some job-site disagreements between the two of them resulting in work that had to be redone or not completed. The contractor did redo the work that was improperly done, but did not reimburse for lost materials. Contractor began to perform work with time skips, falling farther behind schedule. I prepaid one phase of the agreement which was never completed and did not meet timeframe. The agreement was very specific about what work was being paid for, necessary for movement to the next phase. He did not complete a supporting wall in the basement and did not build a kitchen arched portico. Upon his assurance that he could complete the work, I laid on the next contractor, signed an agreement, and gave him 2K. Have not been able to execute that contract since we have not completed the initial phase. We agreed to and started a phase on a second job, contingent upon concurrent completion of the first phase. Payment schedule was for one week periods. Contractor worked for approximately 2.5 days and then demanded payment by the day rather than by the piece/phase as agreed. The contractor sent me a note telling me he would not be at work on Friday, but would work on the weekend to make up and catch up the phase. The contractor did not work, did not complete the phase, and became very upset when I did not seek him out to find him to pay him for partial completion. Contractor left the job and the house in a complete mess. Pulled cabinets from the walls, broke windows and left all the front porch as an eyesore and city code violation which I must rectify. Oversprayed interior without covering windows so windows are covered in paint - stated it was quicker that way. Left the home 40% primed, the rest untouched. The house is now not livable, marketable, and will face code violations if I do not fix this. I also gave the contractor expense money for buying basics in addtion to the materials I provided ($300). Money was not returned or receipts provided. The contractor left me a message stating that he would complete the phase on Monday (yesterday) (after leaving work the Thursday prior). I left him a check in good faith upon his word that he would complete the phase and move on this week to complete the next week's phase. He never showed and completed the work, just took the check. I put in a stop check, but not sure it will catch in time. I have never seen anyone leave a job or home in this type of mess in the middle of a job. We had a signed work agreement, and spoke several times with assurances that he would do the work. I purchased over 3500 in materials for him to utilize on this job. Some of it will not be recoverable, we have lost a lot of money due to his unwillingness to follow any form of disciplined work schedule. We paid every time, on time, icw our agreement. He was adamant that we pay him based upon the days work, which was never part of the agreement. The agreement was for piece work with him operating as an independent sub-contractor. Unacceptable on all levels. No one should get roped into a work agreement with him.