Complaint Review: Sonny Pantoja

Ripped off!!  I hired Armand Pantoja aka Amado Pantoja aka Sonny Pantoja 949 Carina Ave. Placentia, CA  92870 714-271-9025 to install a row of brick runners and a single slab of concrete approx. 10 x 15.  We first discussed the job in November 2014 which I told him I wanted to move forward, he showed up in December and said he misunderstood and stated after the holidays he would perform the work at the agreed upon amount of $800.00.  On January 5th, 2015 I paid Sonny, and was told "it'll be done this weekend".  A week or two later they showed up to start on the brick runners and I was told the cement would be poured the day after.  The brick runners Sonny used were thin veneer red bricks, I asked him why they are using the thin bricks  as they will likely crack.  He assured me these would work and they would put extra cement underneath so they will be strong and wont crack.  I also pointed out to Sunny the new brick runners were crooked.  What do I know.....  After the brick runners were installed they came back the following day to mortar the gaps.  Then I was told the cement will be poured the following week.  The following few weeks came and went.  I gave Sunny a deadline as It was now the end of February to finish the job or return my money.  He reassured me it would be done.  Another week came and went with no show, I text Sunny an ultimatum to have the cement poured the following weekend or return my money and I will hire someone else.  The weekend passed with another no show.  I contacted another company who came out the same day, provided a quote, stated the veneer bricks were the improper bricks for this application and would need to be removed and redone.  I addition, they were crooked and would affect the new cement slab Sunny failed to pour but was paid. I hired the new company, I had to pay over and above what it should have cost because they had to fix Sonnys perfunctory amateur-like workmanship.  The new company was great, they fixed the runners, installed the correct bricks, leveled them, provided nice clean cuts unlike the chop-job Sunny did, mortared them properly, and the next morning at 6:30am laid the slab of cement.  It's been another month and I still have received no refund, nothing but lies and excuses from Sonny.  I have checked with the CA contractors state license board and Sunny Pantoja is not licensed, despite the fact he told me he was.  I will be filing a complaint for unlicensed activity.  It is illegal for Sunny to enter into as contact without a license for jobs over $500 where a license would be required.  Sunny has obfuscated, delayed, lied and recently threatened by stating "you don't know who you're f***ing with" when I asked for MY money be returned.  I have also filed a small claims action against Sunny Pantoja for full reimbursement.  Beware hiring this habitual liar and thief.  Not only does he not deliver on his word, the workmanship is atrocious, the excuses are trite and perpetual with no action.  There's plenty of licensed honest contractors who are licensed who wont steal your money.