What are my options if I recently contracted a landscaper to do some work in my backyard but the work that was agreed to be completed was not done?
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What are my options if I recently contracted a landscaper to do some work in my backyard but the work that was agreed to be completed was not done?
The landscaper was paid $3650 of the agreed $3800 and the work has not been completed. I have reached out to the landscaper and he says he is coming to complete it but never comes.
Asked on September 8, 2015 under Business Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
If he violates his obligation to do the work for which you paid him, you could sue him for breach of contract. To oversimplify somewhat, he will be entitled to keep an amount of money equivalent to the work he actually did, whereas you should be able to get back money you paid for work which was never done, and also ecsape the obligation to pay him the remaining balance. For the amount of money at stake, a good option is to sue in small claims court, acting as your own attorney "pro se" to reduce legal fees.
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