Gary Shearer Remodeling

We signed a contract to complete the remodel of the laundry room, bedroom and bathroom for $7600. I already had the crown molding, hardwood flooring and it was my responsibility to purchase the light fixtures and ceiling fan. He was to supply all other materials (i.e., drywall, framing material, paint, pocket doors and hardware, etc.). The contract indicated that I would pay $2000 up front and Gary would take draws against the balance while retaining 20% until the job was completed. The first week into the remodeling project, I knew I was in trouble. He was very disorganized and it seemed his skilled workers like the tile guy and plumber were not showing up for work. Gary indicated the original scope of work would be completed in 2 weeks, but after the 1st week we were a week behind schedule because his plumber would not show up to move the plumbing. He focused on the additional small items during that time and those jobs were done very poorly. He was obviously not checking the quality of the work and we had several discussions about this. I was very dissatisfied. The painter he contracted indicated to me that Gary had asked him to also do drywall work even though he was not skilled in this area. The drywallers stopped showing up after the first week of the project as well. I later learned that while Gary was drawing weekly from the balance due for the entire job, he was not paying his workers and they stopped showing up for work for nonpayment. Gary kept asking for money and when we were down to $1000 due (about 10% of the total project including the additional items), I refused to give him any more money as there was more than $1000 of work left to be done. This was at the end of week 4, by the way. Gary packed his tools and equipment and left the house stating that he had to go to another job to get money to pay his guys. I never saw him again. He called me later that day stating that I owed him additional money for "overages", however before I refused to give him another draw, we both agreed that $1000 was all that was due to him upon completion. Our contract specifically stated that we would notify of me of any "overages" and get approval prior to any work being done. He did not do that and until I refused him an additional draw the subject of "overages" never came up. I sent an email to Gary on 6/5/2012 trying to get the details and cost of the "overages", but I did not receive a response and have not heard from him since. I have since had to hire another contractor to finish the job at the cost of additional $3000. I am taking Gary to small claims court for $2500. This was an obsolute horrible experience. Gary was very unprofessional and I have no idea what he was buying with the money I paid him, but it was obviously not going to his skilled labor. Never again. This guy gives conractors a bad name. Stay away.