Ugh

If you look up install specs on ICPI.org you'll be able to see pretty much what every paver manufacturer uses as a standard. Any organic matter has to be removed. You can't just dump your base on the grass. Not sure what concrete dust is, but if he means stone dust, that voids some paver warranties. Worth pumping the brakes on this one.

Ditto on Rev's perfect answer.

Revolutionary Gardens- I’ve given the guy half of the project already, how do I get my cash back at this point? Here’s oics of what I’m looking at.

Half the cash already for that job? You would be lucky to get anything back.

You need to have a conversation with him and question him about what he is doing. Let him know your concerns. Ask about other jobs that he has done and can you call them.

I wouldn't freak out just yet. It looks like there's *maybe* a ton or two of material there. Tell him you want to stop the project, you'll pay him for the material he's bought and something for his time, and he may well refund your money with no problems. I've been doing this a long time, there's a certain type of contractor who "has always done it this way" and is kind of a cowboy about it. They tend to get frustrated very quickly with any pushback and tend to refund the deposit super quick and move on to an easier customer.

Then find someone else and vet them hard. The "work" that's been done to this point is no big deal to get out of the way. Fifteen minutes, my guys could have that material shoveled onto a nearby sheet of plywood if it's worth saving, 30 minutes and it would be loaded in the truck. Then proper excavation can start.

Half?? why? it's no more than 10-20% to start.(by law, that's all they can get up front) Dumping rock doesn't require 50% payment.

sheesh. now you don't have a lot of leverage. I doubt you'll get any money back, but like Rev said, ask him for it if you want to go w/someone else. deduct his labor so far and materials.

Or, can he excavate the sod and then continue? Tell him your concern and ask that it be done, or you'd like to continue w/someone else.

And please, no more payments until he's done. you've already given him half, that should be more than enough for materials. no more money until you sign off on the work.

following

Actually in NJ there is no law stating 10% is the max Beth. The recommendation is no more than 30%

I am sorry but really 50% for nothing done except dumped rock . Stop this now and get someone who actually knows what they are doing. It sucks to lose money but it sucks even more to not have what you wanted and it all cracks next year.

In my state there is no "lawful" limit and most landscape contractors will ask for a quarter to a third upfront. I ask for a 50% deposit for my design services based on an estimated number of hours to complete. A financial investment by the homeowner will generally guarantee their continued ownership in the project......unless issues like this pop up.

I would follow Revolutionary Gardens' advice on how to proceed now. And with particular focus on the last paragraph :-))

Robert, I'm sure diff states have their own 'recommendation'.

30% would be fine if they needed to purchase a lot of material.

I'm in Calif and 10% to start is all that's required. 50% is not a thing. Design services may be diff, but i'm talking about actual contractors or labor. 10 to start, and then after the first day when things start moving, they take another 25% or so. I'd never hand anyone 50% before they even did any work.

You said he'd be back tomorrow - so that is today. What happened?

Best Wishes!

The drama you find here, simply cant be beat. 👏👏👏

You'll be glad you spoke up. Proper prior preparation prevents poor future performance. A good truism to live by. My patio and walk contractor did not pitch the walkway correctly and it caused no end of future problems. It's not always a sunny clear day . . .