[KathieI]

Another Linder, We had this happen to us many years ago when we moved into a new development. There are predators out there who take advantage of us idiots.

We had a very nice guy come up to us and was so friendly and we fell hook/line and sinker. He was a "contractor" who was looking for work and we needed a lot of work because we bought our house new so stupidly we gave him upfront money to buy materials, (a check for $700) and he was to show up at 7am the next morning with a crew and start the work.

But, instead he showed up at our bank at 9am, cashed the check and never showed up again. We went to the police who knew this guy and we assisted in identifying him but they never caught him and we were out the money. A good lesson was learned by us, and we have never been caught again. We never, ever give any money up front. If supplies are needed, they are delivered and we pay for them. The contractors only get paid for what they have completed and we agree on this prior to them starting the job.

I suddenly realized why am I not handling this kind of project as I would my business? How stupid of me. So I've completely changed the way I hire contractors and it has worked now for the past 15 years. Stupid once, but never again. Hope this helps, your not alone, we all make mistakes.