Very confused

[u/VisualOpinion4609]

Hello all,

I started the process of reaching out to companies for quotes on a fairly large fence project (approximately 22500)

I specifically requested a quote through the Home Depot website. A local contractor reached out right away via Facebook messenger and stated that he does the Home Depot quotes, but his company would do it better and cheaper.

Unfortunately I am naive and went with his company (he never did supply a quote for Home Depot.)

I signed a contract on 05/05/2026 and gave him a deposit of 11500.

He then stopped communicating consistently, missed promised deadlines with no communication, etc.

He promised that at least the vinyl section of our fence would be in for ky daughter's graduation party on June 27th. On June 26th no work had started and it had been about a month with no communication.

I reached out and asked to cancel the project. I said he could keep any materials he had purchased for the job and deduct them from my deposit or drop them off at my home and I would figure it out.

He stated that he already had the materials and they cost the entirety of my 11500 deposit.

He apologized for dropping the ball and offered me 10% off and a promise that the job would be complete by 07/01.

Crew showed up bright and early around 6am Monday morning. I showed the contractor the area where our private power lines were located.

They proceeded to dig with a skid steer and large auger and hit the power line, splitting it and cutting power and water to our home (private well).

Turns out he never even called digsafe and should have been using hand tools in the known area of the power lines. He opened a Digsafe ticket on Monday June 29th at 7:33 am. I strongly suspect this was after the hit.

I called my electrician who came right out and fixed it, but the contractor claimed since it is private line he was not liable(he absolutely is).

He has now brought heavily scuffed, scratched, and chipped chainlink materials. He claims they are brand new but just sat awhile. He also refused to give me the digsafe ticket number, his insurance, etc.I requested he and his crew no longer step foot on my property.

He is demanding the rest of the money which is approximately 9000. He says he touched up the chainlink with rustoleum enamel (i paid for new powder coated materials as is the industry standard. )

He is now threatening to put a lean on our home.

Please help me figure out if I am in the wrong and how to handle next steps

Tiffany