getting deposit back from unlicensed contractor

[spm1101]

Hey guys i need your help, i gave a contractor a deposit for a deck i wanted, havnt heard from him and he said he wont refund it because it covered his time to do the paperwork for the deck. he isnt licensed

[BKM]

How much of a deposit did you leave?

How long did he spend estimating how much material and time he would need and discus with you the plans about the deck?

And most importantly, do you have a contract for the work and a receipt for the deposit, and if so, what doe's it say?

[spm1101]

but i have a reciept for the deposit, he had to answer questions for the township it was going to be a permitted job as if i was going to do it, he also had to get a material list together, i left a $250 deposit on a 1800 job

[BKM]

Did he ever say "free estimates", or was there a charge for the estimate?

Did he ever go to the township and apply for the permit?

What happen that you haven't heard from the contractor, and how much time has passed since he stopped all communication?

[spm1101]

A few months passed that I didn't gear from him. I went to the township BC it was in my name, his name wasn't on the permits.

[BKM]

What happen that you and the contractor stopped talking, was it a disagreement on the plans of the deck, money?

What is the relation between you and the contractor?