daimo

Just proceed into small claim, you can fight your own case.

I doubt they will hire a lawyer for $500.  so it's just 2 of you fighting each other ... you have a chance.

daimo

they are just trying the scare tactic ... and you already showed your mellow side from the get go.

you should fight.

Trust me, lawyers don't look at $500 case.

daimo

No, if you loose, you pay $500.

The $130 is the filing fees and it won't be awarded to him.  I'm pretty sure.

You have to calculate how much it costed you to clean up the junk and how much you paid to fix the door.

daimo

it's not up to him to determine what he gets.  $500+document fees is what he HOPES.  he hopes that you will just give him the $ without going to court.

It's the small claim  arbitrator who determines if he gets even $500 or not.

Counter sue or not doesn't quite matter, (if i were you I won't, for tactical reasons).  it's really about if you want to spend $30+ 2 hours and see if you can save $500.  It's well worth the exercise and risk.

daimo

you can try to call S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and they work with UBC law school.  but it won't meet your schedule.

it's not difficult to do, just google for tips.

daimo

my guess, let's say it indeed cost you $100 + the renovation guy's fee (ask him to give you the receipt now) ... say it's $250.  so what he will most likely get is $500-$250=$250.  

that's the argument.   he will have to eat the $130.  and, don't worry about if down the road he spends thousands into lawyer's fees.  it's 99% not going to be awarded.

so ... $30+2 hours to get $250 back in  a worst case scenario?  i'll still do it.