Contractor hasn't started work

[Lionathelion]

A month ago we hired a contractor to work on our house. He erected scaffolding, saying that he was going to start. We gave him the deposit as agreed. Now, a month later, he hasn't done any work. Repeated phone calls have gone nowhere. What can I do to 1) fire this guy 2) get my deposit back?

 

[wcomp]

What can I do to 1) fire this guy 2) get my deposit back?

1. Call him and say "you're fired".
2. If he doesn't refund the money, sue him.

Does your contract say anything about when he is supposed to start or complete the job?