Contractor Dishonesty

I hired a contractor for renovation project. This company has 4 awards in a row.

The president of the company and myself used to work together in past with a different company. So I thought It would be beneficial to give project so I can get good quality of work.

Company's project manager visited my property Oct 31 to evaluate the work scope so estimate can be given. I communicated clearly to PM that Kitchen and appliances are schedule t come and install on Nov 26 therefore project need to finish accordingly. I was told it will take him a week to put together a team to finish it.

Next day I receive an estimate which I approved and agreed and I was asked to pay the deposit of $10,000. I transferred the money right away to avoid any work delay.

After receiving deposit, company gone into Silent mode. I sent several emails and made call for start date but no answer. Finally I received answer on Nov 15 to tell me that Project start date would be Nov 25. As I stated above kitchen and appliances were supposed to install on Nov 26.

I advised them that the project start date is not acceptable therefore refund my deposit.

Again company went into silent mode. I emailed and called them and finally I received a call to tell me that if I can delay a kitchen by December 03 they can prep everything for kitchen installation.

December 03 gone and nothing happened. again I had to make several call and send emails. Finally verbally they told me Dec 20 with some additional charges.

In this condition I was held hostage. Because my deposit was not refunded. I had no choice but pay additional $6.000

Finally they handed over the house to me on Jan 27 and putting so many extra charges which was never communicated to me in writing or verbally. In fact they are trying to take the project cost to $50,000

This doesn't end here. The quality of workmanship horrible.

1. Brand new vinyl luxury floor uneven from several places. I advised them in writing that floor must be levelled

2. Kitchen was installed on un sanded and un painted wall.

3. For plumbing they told me 99/hour. All of sudden they now charging $9000 for plumbing for three piece bathroom rough in.

4. The quality of plumbing is horrible. My toilet is sitting on Shims because flange was too high. The shower handle and sprout is in corner. It should be centered. The vanity hot and cold water lines are overlapping.

5. No drop cloth was used they left the paint and mud everywhere.

6. They used contractor grade paint and colour is not even correct. They did not prep the wall at all like like sanding and started painting over existing colour. There are so many patches showing up everywhere.

7. I have pictures and email trail for every single communication. I did not sign any contract after I realized that this company is trying to gouge me.

Their project manager in last three months showed up only 3 times for an hour.

All of sudden they fired the project manager, or he quit so all the conservation I had with him, he is not there anymore.

Over the last few weeks I have asked this company that how all these deficiencies will be fixed and how I am going to be compensated for bad quality of work.

No clear answer from them but asking for payment and threatening for legal action.

For the entire project they only assigned one person. That person was jack of all but master of none. I asked company several time where is your team. Again no answer was given to me.

They are saying we never committed finished date. I send them copy of email where I asked for refund. I also send a copy of email to them where Dec 20 agreed.

They are just ignoring all these. Now they have started to send me contract electronically to signed on it. I haven't signed anything.

On top of that their subcontractor calling me everyday and telling me he hasn't got paid because I haven't paid to them.

I am in a predicament situation and not sure what are my options to deal with them?

Thanks for your insight.