Michael's Tile & More

Michael Peiffer came to my house to assess the situation. Seemed professional and knowledgeable, very convincing. Said he would provide me with all proper paperwork. Gave me what I thought was a reasonable estimate ($2,290.75) compared to others. Showed up to start work 4 hours late the first day. Came with a large waste disposal plastic container to dispose of tile he was taking up. He said he couldn't get a dumpster delivered because they told him they wouldn't put in on pavers in the driveway. He seemed unaware of that and proceeded to use the big green plastic dumpster. Said his coworker was "hungover" and he wasn't putting up with that and that it would be just him today. He started breaking up the tile on my porch and showed me why the tiles were "sweating." Said there was no moisture barrier and that was my problem. He worked from 12:30 until around 3 and said he would be back at 7:00 the next morning. Didn't arrive until after 9:00, no call or explanation. Worked until 11:30, got all the tiles up and went to get the sealant to put down. Came back after 2:45 and said he had had to go all over the place to find enough sealant and still only came back with 3 cans. Said it would be delivered to the stores that night around 12:00. Left around 4:00 after putting down the 3 cans (which was a small area). Said he would be back at 7:00 am the next day (Friday). By 9:00 he was still not there so I started calling him. Called him 4 times, left 2 messages and still no answer. Left for 1 hour appointment, got Michael on phone around 11:45. He said he was sorry but that he had been meeting with his insurance agent. Never called me to let me know and I encouraged him to do that from now on. I reminded him to bring the information to me (contractor's license, etc.) Said he was on his way to my house at that time, let him know I would be home within the hour. I left gate open (house was locked) screened porch was available to him to get to. Upon my return Michael was NOT there, I called him immediately to let him know I was home and asked where he was. I had to leave a message of course. I proceeded to contact him 11 different times after that, leaving 2 messages. No return call. Michael received a $900 deposit up front which I was reluctant to give because he had not provided me his licenses as of yet promising me he would bring that back the next time. While I understand that this is a huge red flag from my past experences with contractor's, I felt that Michael had given me no reason to doubt his honesty. Again, I know this was wrong on my part but I was also in a situation where this work was a priority and needed to be done ASAP. I also wanted to have some faith that there were good people out there somewhere. Wrong reasons to have work started without proper papers, I understand. In the end, Michael did not return my calls that day or again. I called to put a stop payment on the "demolition" check of $550. This was accomplished, but the $900 deposit was gone. I was also left with a large plastic dumpster in my driveway which I will have to have disposed of for an additional amount of money. AND I am left with a torn up back porch, all his tools of the trade and my furniture left outside in the elements. While it was clear that I would not have him return to finish the work under any circumstances, I attempted to call him one more time to inform him that I had stopped payment on the $550 demolition check and asked that he return $450 to me from my deposit as per his contract for services not performed. Again, there was no answer, I had to leave a message. I am assuming he will not be able to return my $450.00 either. I am putting this here for people to see for future reference. I however accept my consequences for not getting the proper paperwork from him up front. I'm sure most people would have seen this as a red flag up front as well and not gone further without it, but I hope people will learn from my mistake. Please do not use this person for anything that you value near and dear to you.