#1 ·
So, I put together an internal contract for some renovation work with a private contractor, but he completely bailed on our agreement. I’ve got his signature right there on the document, so that’s my proof, but since we didn't get it notarized, it's just a basic private agreement between us. In our verbal discussions, we settled on the total cost, a 50% upfront deposit, and then the remaining balance once everything was finished.
My big mistake—and man, I feel silly even saying this—was that I actually handed him extra cash outside of what was written in the contract. I honestly didn't think he'd try to screw me over, but clearly, I was wrong. Now the guy has totally vanished from the job site; he moved on to another gig and left me hanging without finishing a single thing. So, what can I actually do here? Do I have any legal standing at all just because I have his signature on that internal contract, or is it basically worthless in the eyes of the law?
My big mistake—and man, I feel silly even saying this—was that I actually handed him extra cash outside of what was written in the contract. I honestly didn't think he'd try to screw me over, but clearly, I was wrong. Now the guy has totally vanished from the job site; he moved on to another gig and left me hanging without finishing a single thing. So, what can I actually do here? Do I have any legal standing at all just because I have his signature on that internal contract, or is it basically worthless in the eyes of the law?