Short Answer

If a contractor took a $1,200 deposit and never started the job, you may be able to ask for the money back through a demand letter, direct negotiation, a payment dispute, or a small-claims type court process, depending on the facts and how the payment was made. In general, the key issue is whether the contractor had a right to keep any part of the deposit under your agreement and whether any work, materials, or legitimate costs were actually provided.

In Georgia, the contract terms matter a lot. If you had a written agreement, that document may control when the contractor could keep a deposit, what counted as a start to the project, and what happens if the contractor does not begin the work. If the agreement was only verbal, the available proof may come from texts, emails, receipts, bank records, estimates, and witness statements. The more evidence you have of the promised work and the payment, the easier it may be to explain what happened.

A contractor who never started may still argue that the deposit was nonrefundable or that some amount was used for planning, permits, materials, scheduling, or other preparation. Whether that position is valid usually depends on the agreement and the surrounding facts. On the other hand, if the contractor did nothing at all, never ordered materials, and never scheduled the job, that may support a request for repayment.

A practical first step is often to make a clear written demand for the return of the deposit. Keep the message professional, include the job details, the amount paid, the date of payment, and a request for repayment by a specific date. If the contractor ignores you or refuses, you may want to consider other collection options based on how you paid. For example, some card payments or app-based payments may allow a dispute process, but the rules vary by payment method.

If informal efforts do not work, you may be able to consider a court claim in Georgia, usually in a lower-dollar forum if one is available for your situation. The exact procedure depends on the amount involved, the nature of the dispute, and where the contractor is located. Because this is a Georgia matter and construction disputes can turn on contract language and proof, it may help to speak with a Georgia attorney if the deposit is important to you or the contractor is difficult to locate.

Do not rely only on promises or phone calls. Written proof, organized records, and careful follow-up often matter more than emotion in these disputes. If the contractor is licensed, insured, or part of a trade association, those facts may also affect your options, although the details depend on the situation. Rules may differ in other states.