Greater Bay Landscape Inc - Martin Michaels

In February of this year we hired Martin Michaels of Greater Bay Landscape- to install sod at our house. We have a signed contract and gave him a check deposit of $1395 for the job. Shortly after signing the contract we were informed via text message that he would be unable to perform the work due to some medical issues and would be issued a refund for the deposit. Life happens - no big deal. So we hired another contractor to do the job. After some delay he gave us $900 back and promised the balance "as soon as possible". After several more weeks he gave us another $250 back and again promised the balance "as soon as possible". Several more weeks went by with continued promises of "as soon as possible". We tried to be as patient as possible due to the circumstances- however eventually he said that he would not refund the remaining $245 because he felt entitled to keep it "for his efforts"- and even threatened to sue us for "damages"- claiming that we "refused to let him perform the services"- despite the fact that on numerous occasions we were informed via text message from both him and his assistant that he was unable to perform the service and would refund us. And yet he refuses to refund the remaining $245 due back to us. We have been extremely patient and understanding of his situation - and yet despite this Mr. Michaels has breached his contract with us and will not refund the money as promised. We have full documentation on everything to support our position - the signed contract, the deposited check, multiple text messages from both Mr. Michaels and his assistant Alyssa - all confirming that he is unable to perform the service and would refund our money in full- and yet despite all of this - he refuses. You can see a sampling of the text messages attached. I would NOT recommend him at all.