Last November, I hired a contractor to replace some dry rotted wood on the front porch, paint the porch and put some asphalt shingles over one dormer on the house. The man I dealt with never came again despite assurances that he oversaw every job personally. He sent his "cousin" and another older man to do the work. When the job was done, we walked around the outside. Everything looked fine and the "cousin" said that the paint was still wet and not to go on the porch for a few days to give the paint time to cure. Acting in good faith, I paid the $4000 contracted estimate for the job. I did go out on the porch a few days later. I was shocked at the shoddy workmanship on the porch floor. In some places it looks like they either used inferior quality wood or just painted over the old wood, because the boards were still warped. Also on the other side of the property, a wire fence was trampled down and not set back upright. I contacted the contractor then. He said it was too late in the year to do anything about it (by that time it was snowing) and he would return in the spring when the weather "settled" to address my complaint.

The weather here has been superlative the last two weeks. I've attempted to contact him several times now and he is not returning my email or phone messages. We live in a small community and have no BBB.

1) How long should I give him to respond (i.e. what is a reasonable time)?
2) What should I do if he doesn't respond in a reasonable time?
3) If it comes down to small claims court, how much should I ask for in compensation (his workers actually did a fairly good job on the porch posts and roofing)?

First of all I would send him a demand letter send it certified with a return reciept. In that letter talk about what is wrong. Tell him he has 7 days to respond to your letter if he doesn't respond you will be taking him to court. In the mean time go out with your camera and take pictures today! Of the whole job close ups of the mess he made. Next I would get another carpenter in for a quote to fix the job with a written (free) estimate this will give you the amount to sue for. Sorry this happened to you but I would not let it go any further. Let us know.

What do you mean no BBB? Go county or state. You have rights as a homeowner not to be ripped off by shoddy contractors! My dh is a home inspector and contractor and guys like your talking about hurt everyone. Call the BBB in your state. Call your local paper or if your tv station has a "on your side" news reporter that works on things like this. Take him to small claims court.
1. Never pay more than 50% up front for the work
2. ALWAYS ask for references and check them.
3. GO look at other jobs the contractor has completed, don't take recc. over the phone.
4. ASk detailed questions, like was the work done in a timely manner, etc...

On jobs done by contractors they never got more than 50% and when the job is done they get the rest. Not the day it's done after I look over everything and if all is well it's the next day. I would go forward with the letter and the process as I stated in my reply. Let us know.

Find out about going to small claims.. but you'll have to do a demand letter there too...

BBB only has influence if the contractor is a member... if there are any licensing or registration groups .. which there should be county or state...they work under.. call them.. find out who his insurance is with.. this is a liability...and they won't be happy to hear about the problem...

You said you lived in a smalltown...ok, go to your city & ask them, if they have heard of this person. I agree with what I have read with everyone elses comments...go to the BBB in your area....then, if all that has been found out, do take pictures & consult an attorney. I would have never paid anyone in full, before I was completely satisfied!

The BBB isn't your best recourse. Honestly, anyone willing to pay the going rate can be a BBB member.

If this person is a LICENSED contractor, he will be registered with the state. Do you have any paperwork from him stating his Contractors License number.

A call to the state agency that regulates and licenses contractors would be my first step. Then ask for their suggestions. I would agree with other posters that a demand letter would be the next step.

it all comes down to this - you paid in full after you inspected the work,,, you may have better luck having a friend of a friend visit him at nite,,, someone knows him in town.

What ever happened did you contact the contractor?