General Contractor Disappeared with My Money... Next Steps?

[Mark J.]

My GC disappeared two weeks ago. He'd been working daily on my first investment property for the last 3 1/2 months here in Tampa, FL and we'd built a very good relationship. Or so I thought. 

For the time being, I'll skip the gritty details, but I'd estimate he owes me roughly $17K in materials & work.

What are your recommendations for next steps? Is it necessary to file a police report? I was told by the police non-emergency number that this is a "civil, not criminal" issue. Obviously, I'll need a lawyer and file a claim of some sort...  could someone give me a rough outline of the next few months?

Ugh. What a mess.

Thanks...