Orange Monkey Construction

The contractor, John, and his worker showed up on time and the staircase removal and reframing was done quickly and to code. There were unused materials left over. I agreed with the contractor that he would either credit the amount to future work, or refund the cost. It was estimated that my credit/refund would be about $90. 
When I contacted the contractor to come back, I was unable to reach him for months due to no voice mail/text service available when I called, so asked for a refund. I was finally able to leave text and voice messages three months later, but got no response. In January, he finally responded and said he'd send a check when he had time. It's now May, and despite a few more reminders, no refund. I've also filed a complaint with the BBB. No response there, either.
No one's that busy. No one should ever be too busy to settle up with either vendors or clients. Ever. John's not an honorable or ethical man, and I would caution anyone who thinks about working with him to be careful. He is not a man of his word.

My wife is pregnant and due mid-July.  We discussed with the contractor that if he could not finish by then that we should delay starting the project until after she gives birth.  The delays began early on, with no legitimate set backs to cause the delays.  When they started the plumbing work, they did something that had an affect on our tank-less water heater.  We called the plumbers who had installed it.  They identified the problem caused by the contractor and fixed it, but the contractor refused to accept blame.  The an inspector from the city showed up and informed me that no permits had been pulled for the project.  The contractor told me he had filed the permits and they just had not worked through the system.  The city told me that wasn't true.  Also, the contractor told from the beginning that the job would be permitted, and included permits in the bid.  It turns out that the contractor did not have anyone to put on the plumbing and electrical permits because the contractor did not have a licensed plumber or electrician do the work.  We had to fire the contractor and start from scratch with myself as the GC.  We had to have the electrical and plumbing completely rebuilt.  Now the contractor will not respond to my requests for a refund.