what to do when a contractor takes your money and won't finish the job or give back materials money?

If the attorney general tried to mediate and failed, it is lawsuit time and possibly time to file criminal charges of fraud.

If you get no results from the lawsuit, you are going to have a big tax deduction for a loss by theft. If you had homeowner's insurance, some of this might be covered.

If they refuse to play ball with a lawsuit, all you have left is the grim satisfaction of criminal fraud proceedings.

Court , except for small claims, takes years and resources. Find out the maximum allowable small claims suit in your state, be sure to have ALL documents. Start a letter writing campaign [if it's not in writing, it's worthless], contractor associations, department of consumer affairs, local inspectors, city authority, better business bureau. Ask the a/g office why criminal proceedings have not begun, write a letter to your local newspaper detailing the people who failed to assist you. Find out if there are other complaints against them and contact these people. GL.

Well, generally contracts are enforceable in court. It would surprise me if you couldn't sue them. Also, if the contractor's bonded - which they should be or you shouldn't be contracting with them - the performance bond is supposed to give the client some insurance against this sort of thing.

Sad to say that's what happens a lot when you pay "upfront" I would go back to the AG..there should be criminal charges filed against the contractor.....You might need a Lawyer..but your best bet is to get a couple of big guys with baseball bats to beat your money out of that scumbag.....

Check the register of contractors. The agency that regulates licenses. Having your license revoked is a very high risk.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, pay up front for services you haven't got yet.

Think about it, if the contractor doesn't pay for materials, you are liable for it. Pay for the materials yourself. That way, they are yours, and if they take them, call the cops.

Take him to small claims court or sue him in civil court.

you should prob. pay a sum at the begining, and pay the rest in the end when theyr done.