Business ProfileforRob's Handyman Services

On Thursday June 9, 2022, I consulted with *** ****** of Rob's Handyman Service to get an estimate for building a deck on the side of my building (storefront down/my apartment up). At that time, he represented to me that he would pull the required permits for the job. On June 15, Mr. ****** wrote out a work order for the deck job with a full price of $6800. On Friday, June 17, I wrote a check (#***) for half the job amount, $3400, which he marked paid on my work order copy. At this time, Mr. ****** represented to me that ***** County Building Regulations told him he did not need a permit for this job. In hindsight I should have questioned this, but I trusted him. ****** and his son worked for a total of 2.5 days: Friday afternoon, Saturday, and the following Monday, June 20th . They took down the existing stairs which were broken, they poured and set posts, and had partially begun the platform by Monday at 6pm. It was at this time that Mr. ****** told me "stop work" signs were posted by the Village of **********. This was the last time *** ****** was on the premises. Lumber was left lying on the grass for 3 weeks, killing the lawn, until I was forced to move it inside myself. Over the next month, from June 20, I heard from Mr. ****** by phone occasionally to tell me he was working on getting the proper permit. He was unable to do so. On Wednesday July 13, I called and told him that at the one month mark (July 20) this needed to be resolved either with work continuing or a refund. On Monday July 18, I advised *** ****** by text that I was requesting to receive a refund of $2700 by July 20, of the $3400 paid. Despite the work stoppage being entirely his fault for not getting the proper permitting, I wanted to be fair and allow for his time/materials. I asked for a response. I expected that if the amount was unfair, he would counter with another amount. I did not expect him to "ghost" me and pocket my entire $3400, leaving me with no deck and no money.