Licensed contractor hired to prep and paint large 4 plex exterior I own and reside in one. 8 week job. In 3 weeks total payment was requested & paid or work would stop. 1st payment was first day. Second equal payment requested 3rd day. Last equal billing and payment was in 3rd week. 3 days later, job abandoned. No informing or explanation. No calls returned. Junk, trash, portable toilet left. House and property left a mess. Several days later I received the reason from the site manager (only appeared twice in 3 weeks) and was told, "They underbid and was losing money." Other contractors I called to finish job quoted 10 times more. In discovering the reason, first contractor not only did not prep, but caused several hundred thousand of dollars in damages, all uncontracted. Some examples: 2 rows of perfectly good siding (asbestos) removed from front of the house. None ordered to replace it. Good lifetime siding randomly defaced with big blobs of stucco that cannot be sanded or safely disturbed. Whatever color is painted house will look dirty. Original working double hung windows sealed with stucco. Original, rare frogged stamped bricks defaced with random smears and pouring of stucco and regular cement obliterating the separation, definition and uniquess of bricks. These size molds are no longer made and the damaged ones would have to be individually reproduced to maintain property value. The wrong color paint (trim color) was sporadically splattered on parts of the entirely unprepped house. Stucco and paint spilled on previously painted balcony and new roof on eave. Excess stucco poured in yard killing a rose bush a cherry bush, flowers and splashed on 54 removed, unmarked window screens thrown in the yard. These hot summers I've been unable to open windows. Door screens were cut out. New and antique iron patio furniture, grill and decor randomly thrown in yard. I've been embarrassed and inconvenienced. Unsupervised unprofessional day laborers were sent to this job. I have been unable to rent apts. because this condition they left me would not pass inspection. No, no portion of the contract was executed. The State License Board inspected my property and terminated contractor's license. Contractor then filed bankruptcy. I filed a claim with contractor company's insurance. These damages total the maximum insurance coverage. How can I collect 3 times the damages for senior financial abuse/fraud? Fraud because billing several thousand dollars just days apart seems was in hopes I couldn't pay and they could legitimately invoke the sentence in the contract, "If payment isn't made when requested work will immediately cease." They could keep the money paid and leave. When I paid, they had no alternative but to abandon job because they had no intention on paying site manager or pro labor for 8 weeks, buying replacement for removed siding or correct paint color never ordered. Can the insurance company's insurance pay the excess to total 3 times damages? I am 78 years old. Thank you and I apologize for the length of damage. (Unfortunately this isn't all).
I would contact the Insurance Commission and/or check the contractor's license.l
You may need an attorney on all this.
Best of luck, so much incompetence in the construction industry 2024.