New England Builders and Remolding

I posted an ad on Craigslist for a general contractor to come do some work for me. Nothing major, but I had family coming in 7 days and wanted someone to do the work way faster than I could. He came over on a Monday, said he could have it done by Friday, just in time. I gave him $1000 to get materials (about 1/3 of the estimate). Come Friday, all I had was excuses. Too late for the family event, but I still wanted the work done. He said that even though he was on vacation the following week, we would come over, do the measurements, built out the rough elements in his studio, then assemble it in the house. I hear nothing but crickets from him the next week. After that, I would only hear from him when I called him. Of course, I got the old "I was just about to call you" routine. After about 3 months of trying to get him to come out and do the work and only getting excuses, I finally called him and said I no longer want his services and I would like me deposit back. He was belligerent and threatening at this point. Since I was breaking the contract (which, btw said the work would be done in a week), he didnt have to give me the money back. He also claimed that he already bought the materials. I didn't hear from him again for another week, so finally I asked him to drop off the materials then. Excuse after Excuse later, he said he would send me some form of a refund. That was 3 months ago. At this point, I don't expect anything from him. It just seems like a lot of work from him just to steal $1000 bucks. I would avoid this guy like the plague. Actually, I think I would rather have the plague the deal with this guy again. Consider yourself warned.

WHEN I WAS FINISHED I FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD PULLED OUT OF THE JOB UNFINISHED WITH LIKE $15 TO 20 GRAND OF MY NEIGHBORS MONEY !! I CONTACTED HIM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO PAY ME , ALSO TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO HUNT ME DOWN AND BEAT MY HEAD IN !! WHILE DOING THE WORK FOR HIM MY BACKHOE BENT TWO PISTONS . THAT COST ME $ 1700 TO REPAIR [ THATS NOT HIS FAULT ] BUT HE COULD AT LEAST PAY FOR THE WORK I DID FOR HIM , ALSO HE HAD NO PERMIT FOR THE WORK , AND IS NOT LICSENSED , PLUS HE DID SUBSTANDARD WORK WHICH WILL NEED TO BE CORRECTED TO BE UP TO CODE [ WORDS THAT COME TO MY MIND IE: CROOK ,THIEF , SCUMBAG ] HOW CAN SOMEONE DO THIS AND LIVE WITH THEMSELFS ???? PS: HE LURKS AROUND MASS & NH " BEWARE " AND THE COMPANY NAME CHANGES ,SO REMBER KEN JONES !!!