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Estimates to get the deck re-stained and a wall taken down in the basement -- $1,200 in all -- was supposed to be a gift from Gregory Giordano and his sister to their parents. But little did the Staten Island resident know that a poor contractor choice would leave him with a job unfinished and his money gone.

"He said before he could start, he needed to buy materials. He needed $600 cash. I was a little leery at this point. I wanted to get it done fast because it was now September and we didn’t have much time," Giordano said.

Despite his hesitation, he was at least relieved to have a signed contract. That relief was short lived when Mr. Belisario, Sr. showed up to power wash the deck.

"They didn’t know what they were doing and that’s the last time he ever came back," Giordano said.

Frustrated, Giordano rushed to terminate the contract. They both agreed $500 would be returned to Mr. Giordano, but the battle was just beginning.

"Oh his cell phone fell in the toilet, or the ceiling fell in Brooklyn or something happened in his house. It was one story after another," Giordano said.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has a Home Improvement Contract Trust Fund to protect those scammed by licensed contractors.

"If there is a problem with that contractor and that contractor doesn’t do right by the consumer, we can pay up to $15,000 per consumer out of these trust funds," said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz.

No longer able to get in contact with the contractor, Giordano contacted the DCA only to find out the contractor he hired was unlicensed.

"I did not call Consumer Affairs to see if this man had a license and if I had done that he would have never gotten the $600 and he would have never been allowed into my home," Giordano said.

Giordano reached out to "NY1 For You" because he doesn’t want others to go through what he experienced.

"You really have to do detailed research before you sign on the dotted line," Giordano stressed.

NY1 was able to contact Mr. Belisario, Sr. and he has agreed to return the money back to Giordano.

As for hiring another contractor, Giordano says he'll be taking a different approach.

"I’m going to check those licenses again to make sure they’re updated and if there are any complaints filed against them that’s very important too," he said.

City residents can avoid any future disputes by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/consumers for contractor licensing information.