Business ProfileforAll Phases Renovations

In August 2022, We contracted All Phases to do a hardscape&decking project. When ***** asked us our budget, we said 30k&he told us the decking alone would cost more than that. We agreed to total of 47k-37k was decking to be completed after hardscape, as permit would take time. We gave 10k&on 1st day, before anything had been started, ***** demanded 17k-contract said "upon start", but nothing was started to look at! He threatened to pull guys off job&wouldn't take it next day or a post-dated check. The pavers he got were not an exact match as promised, so he needed to pull up existing patio to mix in. He quoted my husband one price and me another for that. The workmanship on retention wall, pit was not exemplary, and he miscommunicated with workers, as they made an awkward bump out area with patio&left a gaping hole at the bottom of the fence door where it's supposed to meet the grass. We saw wetness behind pool&foul stench, and realized one of hus workers had peed there, to which ***** shrugged off. He and my husband both agreed the project was done, and we learned he never had pulled permit for the decking. As we paid 17k toward decking, we want that money returned. ***** made up an invoice, claiming the job was 25k(he tried to get as close to what we paid him, apparently). We would never have agreed to what was done for that amount&he clearly told us the decking would be 37k, which subtracted from the agreed total, leaves 10k. We paid 27k, so we are owed 17k. ***** hasn't sent anything to us-just told us to contact his lawyer-no info on that! Sadly, we have found out, after the fact, that he has done similar things to many people-demanding money upfront or threatening to leave, actually abandoning projects, over billing, workmanship not quality,and being highly unprofessional. He should have to pay restitution to all clients who've had to hire other contractors and businesses to clean up what he did and finish projects.